A phobia is an overwhelming and debilitating fear of something. It could be of a person, an object, a place, a situation, a feeling or an animal. It can also be more generalised such as a social phobia. Phobias tend to develop when someone has an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger about a situation or object, which could come about as a result of past trauma, something they have watched or heard, or something learned from a parent or carer when they were younger. Some say phobias can also be genetic from birth.

If a phobia becomes very severe, a person may organise their life around avoiding the thing that’s causing it. This could limit their day-to-day life activities and prevent them from living life to its full potential. Continually trying to avoid what you’re afraid of could begin to make the situation much worse.

The good news is that most phobias can be addressed, treated and managed with the help of a combination of therapies including counselling, hypnotherapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy. In this article, we will look into the options a little further. 

What are the types of phobias? 

Phobias are typically classified as a type of anxiety disorder and can be broadly categorised into three groups: 

1. Specific Phobias: Fear of a specific object, person, or situation.
2. Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder): Fear of social situations where someone might feel lonely, embarrassed or judged.
3. Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.

According to a YouGov survey in 2023, the most common phobias in the UK are:

Acrophobia: A phobia of heights, with 23% of Britons saying they have this phobia

Arachnophobia: A phobia of spiders, with 21% of Britons saying they have this phobia

Glossophobia: A phobia of public speaking, with 15% of Britons saying they have this phobia 

Also, other common phobias include:

Trypophobia: A phobia of small holes and irregular patterns, which has been the most commonly searched phobia in the UK since 2016

Claustrophobia: A phobia of confined spaces

Dentophobia: A phobia of dentists

Social Phobia: A phobia of social interactions

Atychiphobia A phobia of failure

Thanatophobia: A phobia of death

Nosophobia: A phobia of developing a disease

Arachnophobia: A phobia of spiders

Acrophobia: A phobia of heights

Aerophobia: A phobia of flying

What therapies are available to help ease my phobia? 

If a person’s phobia is very severe, they may be offered medication by their healthcare professional. This medication is typically aimed at managing the symptoms of anxiety associated with the phobia rather than tackling the root of the phobia itself. This means that when medication is stopped, the symptoms are sure to re-appear. 

There are also several therapy-based approaches to tackling phobias, which can be very effective. The results can vary depending on the individual, the therapist, and the nature of the phobia, and often a combination of treatments can work well together to help with the person’s long-term journey. 

1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most effective treatments for treating phobias as recommended by the NHS. This type of therapy involves working with individuals to identify and challenge their irrational thought patterns and also beliefs related to their phobia. Practical techniques are used to encourage gradual exposure to the feared object or situation (called exposure therapy) to reduce avoidance and fear over time.

2. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques, breathing practices, and mindfulness can all help an individual to manage the anxiety and stress caused by their phobia. These techniques will help to promote awareness as well as help to calm the nervous system.

3. Support Groups

Joining a support group with others who have similar phobias can provide a sense of community and shared experiences, which can be comforting and motivating in a person’s treatment journey.

4. Hypnotherapy

Involves using hypnosis to explore the subconscious mind and address the underlying causes of the phobia, potentially altering the individual’s response to the feared object or situation. Trained hypnotherapists can help individuals explore some of their past experiences to try to uncover the underlying causes of their phobia. Hypnotherapy can also help to focus on boosting self-confidence and coping strategies using positive affirmations and suggestions to increase the individual’s confidence in facing their phobias. 

5. Lifestyle Changes

Incorporating regular exercise, yoga, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep can all help reduce overall anxiety and stress levels. Increasing a person’s window of tolerance can make it easier for them to cope with phobias and the symptoms caused by it.

Different approaches may be combined for a more comprehensive treatment plan, and individuals need to work with a mental health professional to determine the best strategy for their specific needs.

If you would like to get in touch about something that you have a fear or phobia of, then I would love to chat to you about it to see how I could help you.

Patti Hemmings Harrogate Acupuncturist, Hypnotherapist & Wellbeing Therapist

46, Cheltenham Mount (opposite Red House Originals art gallery)

Harrogate

HG1 1DL

mob: 07787 831275

pattichemmings@icloud.com