This paper explains research done on phobias. The origin of phobias and how they began. The three types of phobias; Specific phobias, Social Anxiety Disorders, and Agoraphobias. It also contains certain phobias that each specific group encompasses, stating what they are and how they work. This paper includes ways to treat them with descriptive analysis of each option as well as side effects that result from each treatment. Lastly, it reassures readers that if they are struggling with a certain fear that they are not alone.
Phobias:
An Overview of Psychological Fears
The psychological disorders known as phobias are a very prominent disorder in our communities. They affect more people than one would expect. Through extensive research, it was possible to understand the background behind phobias and the widespread attention devoted to assist people with them. The purpose of this research is to inform individuals about their disorder and ways to help them cope with it. There are an unlimited number of phobias, they can affect individuals in many ways, but there are treatment options available to help.
First, the discussion of what a phobia is and where it came from. The word phobia stems from Greek mythology, in mythology there was a god named Ares, the god of war. Aries had a son named Phobos, which literally translates to “fear” in Greek. Phobos was the being who was all encompassing fear, he was personified as fear itself. A Roman Doctor Celsus was the first person to implement the word in which he diagnosed the first phobia, hydrophobia, the fear of water. A phobia is an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something. Meaning something in a persons mind convinces them that an object, environment, or almost anything is so terrifying that it is life-threatening. The first documents of phobias came about in an ancient Greek physician Hippocrates writing,
In one his works (called The Seventh Book of Epidemics), Hippocrates described a condition in a man named Nicanor. Whenever Nicanor went out drinking, he would get terrified of the flute (or maybe the flute music?) played by the musicians. As Hippocrates wrote, “When the piper began to play, the music immediately threw him into such a great fright, that he was not able to bear the disorder of it.” (Oddly, the flute music only bothered Nicanor at night—for some reason, in the daylight he was fine.) (Korgeski, 2006)
The term was used here and there and it began to become more common in scientific language by the 1800’s. The 1800’s were a time in which the scientific community started “booming” with the beginnings of things such as using hospitals for clinical research by observing patients and their bodies, the introduction of laboratories which gave scientist a better environment to conduct experiments and accumulate better research, and lastly game changing inventions such as the microscope and thermometer. The 1800’s ended with possibly the biggest psychological discipline in science. The founder was none other than one of the most prominent names in psychology, Sigmund Freud. What he founded was psychoanalysis,
which is a method for treating mental illness and a theory which explains human behavior. Freud believed that events in our childhood have a great influence on our adult lives, shaping our personality. For example, anxiety originating from traumatic experiences in a person's past is hidden from consciousness and may cause problems during adulthood (in the form of neuroses). (McLeod, 2018)
According to Korgeski (2008), Freud researched a kid named Hans, he developed an immensely overpowering fear or phobia of horses after seeing one in the street. Freud inferred that the fear stemmed from the boys’ father, relating to his affection for his mother. Other Psychoanalysts believe that battles in the mind are the cause of phobias and that unconsciously the fear stems from something deeper than what is on the surface or what we show. This was all beliefs and speculation in Freuds life, until finally in 1947 the International Classification of Diseases deemed phobias should be in their own separate diagnostic category. Scientist discovered with the help of functional imaging studies that phobias tend to coincide with alterations in brain
activity. So, “Individuals who suffer from phobias have been shown to display increased activity of the amygdala when exposed to phobia-inducing stimuli, noted on functional MRI.” (Moawad, 2016). The right side of the amygdala is the side that handles all the negative emotions, such as phobias, and the left side handles positive emotions. Also,
The stria terminalis, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the insula were found to be hyperactivated in individuals who experienced sustained exposure to phobia-inducing pictures in an experimental setting. This suggests that prolonged exposure to phobia-inducing stimuli does not necessarily 'quiet down' brain activity as would be expected, but actually engages more areas of the brain (Moawad, 2016).
Scientists determined that there were 3 main subcategories of phobias, agoraphobia’s (believing the environment is unsafe), Social phobia’s (super anxiety in social atmosphere), and specific phobias. It is estimated that 19 million Americans have a specific phobia. Which introduces the second point– the number of phobias: what they do, how they form, and how common or uncommon are they.
Phobias affect 9.1 of the US population and the types of phobias those people have are endless because every human has different triggers based on their unconscious minds. Some people might even have more than one.
Phobias are the most common mental disorders in the U.S. according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Approximately 10 percent of people in the U.S. have specific phobias, 7.1 percent experience social phobias, and 0.9 percent have agoraphobia. Whether you're terrified of spiders, heights, or speaking in public, you're not alone (Fritscher, 2018).
A specific phobia is a type of anxiety that oneself has toward exposure to objects or environments. They last longer and are more intense than anxiety one would experience from talking in front of a group or driving for the first time. Also, they can hinder one’s ability to work, go to school, or other daily activities (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). Some of the most common specific phobias include Arachnophobia, Ophidiophobia, Acrophobia. Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders. This is one of the common phobias affecting 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men. It is believed that the reason for this certain phobia stems from our ancestors lacking knowledge about how to treat and defend oneself against insects and spiders which has today instilled a predisposition to be scared of spiders (Cherry and Gans, 2018). Next, Ophidiophobia which is the fear of snakes. This fear is thought to originate from “evolutionary causes, personal experiences, or cultural influences.” Most of the people with this phobia have had little or no encounter with a snake. Another reason scientists think people have developed this fear is that snakes tend to provoke a disgust response and people fear disease and contamination (Cherry and Gans, 2018). Finally, Acrophobia which is the fear of heights. It is estimated that this phobia affects over 23 million people. If someone had this phobia they would avoid bridges, towers, or tall buildings. Research shows that this phobia is thought to come from the danger of falling from significant heights (Cherry and Gans 2018). Some uncommon specific phobias that include Omphalophobia
and Hylophobia,. First, Omphalophobia which is the fear of the belly button. People with this condition are afraid to see, touch, or have people touch their belly buttons. This fear is thought to stem from the umbilical cord and the mother’s womb (Kinder 2013). Next, is Hylophobia which is the fear of trees. This phobia is thought to be caused by movies or fairy tales that children watch or hear where the forests represents evil or darkness. Even thinking about wood will trigger the anxiety in people with this phobia (Kinder 2013). The second kind of phobia is social phobia, or social anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety disorder is a common type of anxiety disorder. A person with social anxiety disorder feels symptoms of anxiety or fear in certain or all social situations, such as meeting new people, dating, being on a job interview, answering a question in class, or having to talk to a cashier in a store. Doing everyday things in front of people—such as eating or drinking in front of others or using a public restroom—also causes anxiety or fear. The person is afraid that he or she will be humiliated, judged, and rejected (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), n.d.)
SAD can be hereditary, but scientists have not figured out the pattern in which it occurs. If someone’s social skills are not up to par it can cause them to develop social anxiety disorder. Like if a child’s speech has not developed well, then they will be cautious in interactions with other children because of the fear of them not being able to properly communicate. This can further lead to not being able to express emotions sufficiently or being able to be around groups of people without having a panic attack (National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), n.d.). Lastly, is agoraphobia in which someone fears being in situations or places that could cause panic attacks or the thought of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. Examples of these situations are being in crowds, using public transportation, and standing in line (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017). Phobias are divided into three main categories and they are also treated with different techniques and medicines.
Finally, the treatments for phobias will be discussed beginning with specific phobias, then social phobia, and finishing with agoraphobia. Treatments for specific phobias include psychotherapy, medications, and lifestyle and home remedies. Psychotherapy is the treatment of mental disorder by psychological rather than medical means. These include exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Exposure therapy focuses on presenting the object or situation to the individual and trying to change one’s response towards it (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). For example, “if you're afraid of elevators, your therapy may progress from simply thinking about getting into an elevator, to looking at pictures of elevators, to going near an elevator, to stepping into an elevator” (Mayo Clinic Staff 2016). Next is CBT, which involves training the subject to feel confident while thinking about the object or situation they fear and making them believe that their fear is unjustified. Also, medications can be prescribed to treat specific phobias such as beta blockers and sedatives. A Beta blocker is a drug that blocks “the stimulating effects of adrenaline, such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, pounding heart, and shaking voice and limbs that are caused by anxiety” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). Sedatives or “medications called benzodiazepines help you relax by reducing the amount of anxiety you feel. Sedatives are used with caution because they can be addictive and should be avoided if you have a history of alcohol or drug dependence” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). Next, is the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder or SAD, treatments include psychotherapy, support groups, and medications. Support groups are groups in which individuals who all have SAD meet and discuss the way they see each other so individuals can learn the unbiased truth about how people see them and do not have to worry about wondering if they look bad in front of others. These group activities also help with communication skills and overcoming the fear of social situations (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), n. d.). Medications prescribed for SAD include anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, and beta-blockers. Anti-anxiety medication is used to reduce anxious feelings, but the body can build up a tolerance for these drugs and may result to taking higher dosages and becoming easily addicted (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), n. d.). Antidepressants are pretty self-explanatory, they are used to treat depression. They have bad side effects and can take a longer time to kick in and start performing their job, these are also easily addictive (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), n. d.). Psychotherapy is a better route to go if possible since drugs are easily addictive. Lastly are the treatments for agoraphobias. These include Psychotherapy, Medications/Alternative Medicines, and coping and support. Psychotherapy helps answer questions such as,
• What factors may trigger a panic attack or panic-like symptoms and what makes them worse
• How to cope with and tolerate symptoms of anxiety
• Ways to directly challenge your worries, such as the likelihood of bad things happening in social situations
• That your anxiety gradually decreases if you remain in situations and that you can manage these symptoms until they do
• How to change unwanted or unhealthy behaviors through desensitization, also called exposure therapy, to safely face the places and situations that cause fear and anxiety (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2017)
Coping and support can also be used to help with the treatment of agoraphobia. Things such as learning calming skills, avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs and taking care of oneself all fall under ways to cope with agoraphobia. This research demonstrates the amount of treatment and help that is available to individuals who are suffering from a phobia.
Treatment options are available to individuals who suffer from the vast number of psychological fears, or phobias. The background and origin of phobias were thoroughly stated. As well as the three types and the treatments that are required to assist in the curing of them. A large percentage of people possess phobias. As Will Smith said to his son in After Earth, “Danger is very real. But fear is a choice.”
References
Agoraphobia. (2017, November 18). Retrieved November 11, 2018, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/agoraphobia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355993
Cherry, K., & Gans, S. (2018, June 26). 10 Most Common Phobias. Retrieved November 11, 2018, from https://www.verywellmind.com/most-common-phobias-4136563
Fritscher, L. (2018, July 02). Do You Know How Many People Have Phobias in the U.S.? Retrieved November 11, 2018, from https://www.verywellmind.com/prevalence-of-phobias-in-the-united-states-2671912
Kinder, L. (2013, September 06). 13 of the most unusual phobias. Retrieved November 11, 2018, from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/10289366/13-of-the-most-unusual-phobias.html
Korgeski, G. (2012, May 28). The History of Phobias. Retrieved November 11, 2018, from https://hiperfdiy.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/the-history-of-phobias/
McLeod, S. (2018). What are the Most Interesting Ideas of Freud. Retrieved November 11, 2018, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/Sigmund-Freud.html
Moawad, H. (2016, October 26). Phobias and Brain Activity. Retrieved November 11, 2018, from http://www.neurologytimes.com/blog/phobias-and-brain-activity
Social Anxiety Disorder: More Than Just Shyness. (2016). Retrieved November 13, 2018, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness/index.shtml
Specific phobias. (2016, October 19). Retrieved November 13, 2018, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/specific-phobias/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355162