Phobias are fears of certain objects, concepts, actions etc., which, if in contact with or thought about, could trigger an overwhelming sense of anxiety and loss of control. People who have phobias tend to actively try to avoid the object of their fear. For example, someone who has a fear of snakes (Ophidiophobia) may not want to touch a snake or look at a picture.
You do not have to be in the situation in order to experience the plethora of physical symptoms surrounding your phobia, the very thought- in some cases, is enough to cause your brain to create a reaction to these scary situations without you actually being in it. People with phobias could have panic attacks which cause physical symptoms such as sweating, hot flushes or chills, trembling, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, nausea, ringing in your ears, confusion or disorientation, rapid heartbeat etc.
There are things that you can do to tackle and cope with your phobias like:
- CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy): a type of counselling that can help people manage their problems by changing the way they think and behave- this therapy is best for dealing with anxiety attacks
- RTT (Rapid Transformational Therapy) and Hypnotherapy: a therapy which focuses on communicating with your subconscious and changing the way you feel and behave towards your phobia
- Psychotherapy: a therapy which helps one understand the origination of one’s phobias as often the object of the phobia is not the actual source of the anxiety
There are many phobias that one could potentially suffer from such as:
Megalaphobia (fear of large objects), thalassophobia (fear of large bodies of water), trypanophobia (fear of needles), nyctophobia (fear of the dark), Emetophobia (fear of vomit) trypophobia (fear of a pattern of holes), Acrophobia (fear of heights)
Navigating Through Fear and Phobias: A Person-Centred Approach
By Danny Zane, Person-Centred Therapist
Conquering our fears and phobias with therapy can have a life-changing impact, particularly if your fears are limiting or changing your life in any way.
Fear is a natural response to perceived threats, but when it intensifies and transforms into a phobia, it can significantly disrupt daily life. Phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific situations, objects, or activities that often lead to avoidance behaviours. Recognising these patterns is the first step in addressing them.
Danny’s counselling practice is grounded in empathy, non-judgmental support, and a deep understanding of each of his client’s experiences. I believe in the therapeutic power of a genuine, accepting relationship. This approach allows us to delve into the roots of your fears and phobias, offering a safe space to explore and understand them.
In our sessions, expect a warm, empathetic environment where your feelings and experiences are valued and understood.
Seeking help is a brave and crucial step toward reclaiming your life from fear and phobias. There’s hope, and with the right support, you can overcome these challenges.
If you’re ready to start this journey, I’m here to walk with you every step of the way. Contact us to book a consultation or visit our website for more resources. Together, let’s unlock the door to a peaceful, more fulfilling life.
Danny Zane Therapy Harley Street
Using EFT to work with Phobias
It is the initial work of Dr Robert Callaghan who cleared an intractable water phobia for a client called Mary that deserves credit for the invention of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Mary was so afraid of water she couldn’t get into the bath, had recurrent nightmares and could not bath her children. She was even afraid of rain. Callaghan had worked with her for 2 years without success. As Mary reported that she felt fear in her stomach he used his knowledge acupoints and tapped on the point associated with the stomach hoping, initially, to alleviate the stomach discomfort. He was amazed when she announced that the phobia had completely disappeared. He then experimented further and the first tapping therapy TFT was developed which then evolved into EFT. EFT has now helped thousands around the world to process previously overwhelming phobic responses.
Phobias can be characterised as:
1. Simple, defined phobias. These are often single-event stories and are generally not linked to other issues.
e.g. Annie’s simple phobia: At age 9, Annie walked home from school during her lunch break to get some forgotten books. A large dog jumped up at the fence as she walked past. It was snarling and barking loudly, which frightened Annie as it followed her along the fence as she tried to run away. Following this single event, Annie became increasingly frightened of dogs, avoided that street, and never told her parents or teachers what had happened. This phobia was resolved using EFT in one session.
2. Complex phobias. These are linked to many past specific events which helped build and maintain the phobic response. For example, a large dog jumping up at a small child, living next door to an aggressive dog and neighbour; seeing a tv show where someone was attacked by a dog; Aunties’s snappy terrier.
3. Masking Phobias cover unresolved problems, so there is often little awareness of an originating event(s) or other associations. Clients can feel stupid as there is no “real cause” for their problem.
