May 28, 2020 | Everybody has a fear of something. Maybe it’s a fear of heights, or a fear of closed-in spaces. Or maybe it’s something less common, like a fear of chickens or long words. A phobia is a form of anxiety disorder, a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no danger. Specific phobias affect an estimated 19.2 million adult Americans. They usually appear in childhood or adolescence and tend to persist into adulthood. Unlike the brief anxiety a person may feel when giving a speech or taking a test, specific phobias are long lasting, cause intense physical and psychological reactions and can affect that person’s ability to function normally at work, at school or in social settings. Not all phobias need treatment. But if a specific phobia affects a person’s daily life, several therapies are available that can help them work through and overcome their fears, often permanently. By the way, a fear of long words is called sesquipedalophobia.

May 28, 2020 | Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person fears and avoids places or situations that might cause them to panic and feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. They may fear an actual or anticipated situation, such as using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line, or being in a crowd. The anxiety is caused by fear that there’s no easy way to escape or get help if the anxiety intensifies. Most people who have agoraphobia develop it after having one or more panic attacks, causing them to worry about having another attack and avoid the places where it may happen again. People with agoraphobia often have a hard time feeling safe in any public place, especially where crowds gather. Agoraphobia treatment can be challenging because it usually means confronting your fears. But with psychotherapy and medications, a patient can escape the trap of agoraphobia and live a more enjoyable life.

May 28, 2020 | Aerophobia is a fear of flying in some kind of aircraft. People who suffer from this form of anxiety not only fear the flight and experience distress during flying, but also spend much of the time before the flight, sometimes weeks or months, worrying about the forthcoming experience. Nearly 25 percent of air travelers are known to suffer from this phobia. As with many types of phobias, the fear of flying has physical and psychological manifestations. The physical symptoms may include sweating, increased heart rate and nausea. Most people with aerophobia start to experience symptoms like irritation, disorientation and nervousness as soon as they reach the airport. They may become irritable, show signs of a major panic attack and lash out at airline staff or friends. There are many treatments available to help overcome a fear of flying, including psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and courses designed to increase self-esteem and self-confidence.

May 28, 2020 | Claustrophobia is much more than just a fear of tight or intimate spaces. People with this phobia may feel lightheaded or faint, suffer from shortness of breath or experience chest tightness or pain when they are in a closed room or crowded space. Symptoms like nausea, rapid heartbeat and hot flashes can be triggered by being in a packed elevator or undergoing an MRI scan. Claustrophobes may automatically look for exits in every space they enter and avoid airplanes, subways or cars during heavy traffic. You’re also more likely to develop claustrophobia if you grew up with a claustrophobic parent or family member. If a child sees their loved one becoming scared of a small, enclosed space, they may begin to associate fear and anxiety with similar situations. Claustrophobia is most commonly treated by psychotherapy. Antidepressants or an anti-anxiety medication to help treat panic and physical symptoms may also be prescribed.

May 28, 2020 | Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is one of the most common phobias, affecting as many as four out of 10 Americans. Having to get up in front of crowd can make some people experience the classic fight-or-flight response. This is the body’s way of preparing to defend itself against perceived threats. When threatened, the brain prompts the release of adrenaline and steroids. This causes blood sugar levels, or energy levels, to increase. As the blood pressure and heart rates rise, more blood flows to the body’s muscles. Many people who have a strong fear of public speaking are afraid of being judged or rejected. They may have had an unpleasant experience, like having given a report in class that didn’t go well or were asked to perform on the spot with no preparation. Derived from the Greek word “glossa,” which means tongue, glossophobia can be overcome through cognitive behavioral therapy aimed at the root cause of the anxiety.