Written by Elif Gulce Batgi
Imagine that you were bitten by a dog when you were a kid. Would it be too hard to estimate, what would be the perspective you will look at every dog you see after the accident? Our experiences become references to future ones when they become the past. It can both affect us both positively and negatively, but actually, our system is composed of protection. The thing that makes them positive and negative is our thoughts and feelings. For example, getting back to the first example of being bitten by a dog and as a result, staying away from all the dogs can not count as a positive thing because it was just an accident but now it becomes a fear in your mind, on the other hand, learning that telling lies is not a good thing is a great contribution that fear brings you. People learn telling the truth is an important thing by facing someone who tells lies to them and staying away from the feeling of being fooled. These are the fears which reflect our past experiences and observations, however, some fears might not reflect any experience that lies behind the fear which is called phobias.
Phobia is an anxiety disorder involving extreme and persistent fear of a situation or object. The word phobia comes from the Greek word “Phobos,” which means “fear” or “horror. (1)” No matter how nonhazardous they can be seen, reactions can even go further such as panic attacks. Phobias can occur both as a result of environmental and genetic variables. Certain phobias are shaped due by past experiences as it is above mentioned. However, it is still not certain how much genetic predisposition plays a role in it in the name of being likely to. There are three types of phobias: social phobias, agoraphobia, and specific phobias.
1-Social Phobias:
Being known as social anxiety disorder now, social phobias include fears of social situations in which a person might be judged or embarrassed (2). Feeling too anxious before an event or outing, while eating and speaking in public can be given as examples of social phobias.
(Image Credit: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-overcome-social-anxiety/. )
2-Agoraphobia:
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available in a possible wrong situation (3). Traveling on public transport, visiting a shopping center, and leaving home can be given as examples of agoraphobia. The people holding this type of phobia are likely to escape all of the situations that might go wrong or in other terms in a negative way. For instance, they would choose an online market to go to the supermarket.
3-Specific Phobias:
As it can be understood from its name they involve the fears that people are afraid of some objects or situations specifically. To give a common example, we all see people who are afraid of spiders and even escape from them at the exact moment they see them. It is the phobia that people have fears of some exact object different from the other types of phobias. Some strange examples that can be listed are Arachibutyrophobia (Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth), nomophobia (fear of being without your mobile phone), and ablutophobia (fear of bathing) (4).
Phobias involve both specific and general fears as can be seen from their types. Some of these fears are general, where people can be afraid of specific things due to their past experiences, the most influential one being childhood. However, phobias are not irremediable; with psychotherapy, a person can easily get rid of his/her phobias.
References:
Osborn, C. O. (n.d.). Can I be afraid of phobias? Common or unique fears explained. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/list-of-phobias.
The most common phobias from A to Z. (2005, December 16). Verywell well. https://www.verywellmind.com/list-of-phobias-2795453.
Overview - Agoraphobia. (2021, February 12). nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/agoraphobia/overview/.
21 rare, irrational, and weird phobias you've likely not heard of. (2022, July 27). The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/phobias/weird-phobias/.
Comments