Phobias
What is a Phobia?
A phobia is a condition in which a specific object, situation, or sensation causes intense anxiety or fear. While the object of your phobia may be something that makes many people uncomfortable or anxious, a phobia is characterized by significantly greater anxiety or fear than other people typically experience in the same situation, potentially even to the point of having a panic attack. As a result, you may try to avoid this situation or object at all costs.
Common types of phobias include:
- Animals (e.g., dogs, insects, and reptiles)
- Certain natural environments (e.g., heights, storms, and open water)
- Enclosed situations (e.g., airplanes, elevators, bridges, and MRI machines)
- Medical situations or bodily harm (e.g., the sight of blood, needles/injections, invasive
procedures, and the experience of vomiting)
How Phobias
Can Affect You
If you are dealing with a Phobia, you may have some of the following experiences:
Fear and Anxiety
You may experience intense fear or anxiety when you are faced with the object of your phobia, including symptoms of a panic attack, such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, sweating, or nausea.
Avoidance
You might avoid situations that are likely to cause fear, such as visiting friends with pets, doctor’s offices, car trips, airplane flights, or even pictures of the thing you’re afraid of.
Significant Inconvenience or Pain
Impact on Major Decisions
How NYCBT Can Help
At NYCBT, we specialize in understanding how phobias can take over your life as well as how you can take your life back from them. Your therapist will work with you to address your phobia in a supportive environment, using approaches that research has shown to be highly effective. This process will help you gain a sense of empowerment and greater control over your phobia.
Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to your phobia. By reframing these thoughts and challenging some of your assumptions about your phobia, you will feel more confident, prepared, and safe when facing your fears.
Exposure
Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
In this newer form of CBT, you will practice mindfulness of the moment, thoughts, and feelings to move towards accepting your experience rather than trying to avoid it. ACT can help you focus on getting what you want out of life while getting less caught up in the thoughts and fears about your phobia and your efforts to avoid it.