Everyone has fears. For some, however, the fears are so severe that it can cause panic attacks, put strain on their relationships, and produce regular feelings of dread and anxiety. When the fear of a specific item or experience is too difficult to manage, it may be what’s known as a “phobia.”

Phobias are intense fears of some type of object or event, known as a “stimulus.” The fear tends to be pronounced, triggering the body to go into fight, flight, or freeze mode. Sometimes, simply imagining yourself coming face to face with the stimulus is enough to provide significant anxiety.

Here at Friendly Psychology, I am happy to provide evidence based therapy for phobias throughout the Phoenix, AZ area, and would love an opportunity to sit down with you and talk about your challenges.

When is a Phobia a “Problem?”

Intense anxiety and stress always put a lot of pressure on the mind and body. If you feel that your phobia is a problem, then it is worth considering treatment.

There are times when a phobia may not feel like it requires support. For example, if you have a severe fear of snakes and live in an area where encountering a snake is rare, it may be possible to live with the fear and rarely see it impact your life.

Problems occur, however, when the phobia is frequent, distracting, or the anxiety is severe. If you find yourself affected by your phobia often, or hurting your quality of life, it may be worth overcoming that phobia in therapy.

Most Common Phobias

Some phobias may be related to other anxiety conditions, which is why a proper diagnosis is important. Examples of these phobias include:

  • Agoraphobia (Fear of Leaving Home/Comfort)
  • Social Phobia (Fear of People/Social Situations)
  • Mysophobia (Fear of Contamination and/or Germs)

Other phobia tend to develop all on their own. There are thousands of different types of phobia, with some of the most common including:

  • Arachnophobia (Fear of Spiders)
  • Acrophobia (Fear of Heights)
  • Ophidiophobia (Fear of Snakes)
  • Cynophobia (Fear of Dogs)
  • Claustrophobia (Fear of Small Spaces/No Escape)
  • Hemophobia (Fear of Blood)
  • Aviophobia (Fear of Flying)

Your individual phobia may be very different from those listed above. Unique phobias can develop throughout the course of life.

Therapy for Phobias in Kansas City

If you feel that you have a phobia and you are hoping to manage it, please call me today at 858.224.3767, visit my WeCounsel telehealth portal site, or email me at DrRanda@FriendlyPsychology.com. I am a Tempe, AZ psychologist that provides therapy and treatment for those struggling with anxiety, including those living with phobia. Contact me today, and we can talk about what your needs are, and what solutions are available.