Symptoms of phobias

As briefly aforementioned, the symptoms of phobias tend to be very similar to those experienced during a panic attack. These include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, trembling and sweating, and in severe cases sufferers may also feel an intense fear of dying and fear of losing control. Due to the varying nature of phobias, not everyone will experience the same symptoms – and while for some the symptoms are mild, others will have full blown attacks. Furthermore, some people with phobias will only have symptoms when they encounter the situation or object that they are afraid of. Others however will feel anxious and panicky just thinking about their phobia.

See our page on panic disorder for a full list of symptoms. 

Causes of phobias

Phobias can develop at any stage in life, and although there is no known cause it is thought that they are triggered by a combination of factors. One theory is that phobias can be ‘learnt’. Research suggests that children are more likely to develop a phobia if members of their family – particularly their parents – have phobias. They may pick up on their parent’s behaviours after repeated observations of their anxious responses when they come into contact with certain people, situations or objects. Genetic links have also been identified. It is thought that some people are born with a tendency to be more anxious than others, although the extent to which a phobia is inherited is uncertain.

Other causes of phobias include early stressful and traumatic experiences, which can leave people afraid of certain objects or places that remind them of these unpleasant events. For example, a child who gets trapped in a confined space is more likely to develop a fear of small spaces (claustrophobia) in the future. Sometimes a child can be inadvertently faced with frightening information – or a strict instruction to stay away from someone/something – and could easily grow up to become scared about confronting such people or situations. For example, if a trusted adult repeatedly warns the child about something, such as keeping away from dogs in the street, this can develop into a deep-rooted fear. 

Treatment for phobias

Generally with any form of anxiety, the earlier help is sought the better, as avoidance behaviour often makes the problem more complex and disruptive to an individual’s life. When behaviour is affected (for example if a person cannot meet with friends or take up employment because of their anxieties) professional support is normally required.

Counselling for phobias

While treatment for simple phobias tends to be in itself relatively simple – often involving self-care to be carried out at home in the form of gradual exposure to a certain phobia – treating complex phobias can take longer and often involves more work. Talking therapies used in counselling are strongly recommended for treating complex phobias. Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most commonly used approaches, as it helps individuals to reconsider their way of processing situations whilst enabling them to find ways to deal with their anxieties more constructively. Cognitive behavioural therapists will also encourage clients to explore some of the complex underlying causes of their anxiety in order to help them better understand it and see it in a more realistic light.

Group therapy and attending self-help groups are also considered beneficial for helping people to overcome their phobias. These group settings can help to keep people motivated during and after therapy, and there’s great relief and support that can be found in sharing your problems with others who understand what you are going through. All counselling treatments for phobias are essentially a gradual and controlled way of decreasing anxiety and helping people to develop new patterns of thinking and behaviour that promote well-being and life fulfillment.

In some cases, treatment for phobias may involve a combination of medication with counselling. The three main types of medicine that are prescribed to treat anxiety issues including phobias are antidepressants, beta-blockers and tranquillisers. Drug treatments that act on levels of serotonin in the brain may also be an option.