Phobias are intense and persistent fears of certain objects, situations, or activities. It’s normal for you to feel afraid or anxious at times. However, with Phobias, the fear is often irrational and baseless since the object, situation, or activity poses no real danger to you. The fear can be so overwhelming that the person suffering from the phobia will go out of their way to avoid it, thus limiting their movements, adversely affecting their relationships, and disrupting their lives.
Some main types of Phobias include:
Specific Phobias : Specific Phobias, as the term suggests, are strong, overwhelming fears of certain objects, animals, or situations, where the fear far exceeds the actual risk involved. Understandably, those with a specific phobia usually go out of their way to avoid the situation or object altogether.
Examples include:
Social Anxiety Disorder :
Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as Social Phobia, revolves around the fear of social situations or performances that might lead to someone feeling embarrassed, judged, or subject to public scrutiny.
In the case of those with social phobias, the fear is so intense that they often go out of their way to avoid social interactions of any kind. For such people, even simple, seemingly harmless tasks such as answering the telephone or ordering food at a restaurant can cause panic.
Agoraphobia:
Agoraphobia is an intense, crippling fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or where help might not be available during a panic attack. You tend to avoid large, open spaces, or even crowded places such as malls and public transport where you might end up feeling trapped.
Those with chronic health problems tend to fear they will have a medical emergency in a public area or a situation where no help is available. In extreme cases, the fear becomes so severe that people avoid leaving their homes altogether.
Symptoms of Phobias: The symptoms of Phobias can broadly be classified into three subtypes – physical, mental, and behavioural. Let’s look at some symptoms under each subtype:
Physical Symptoms
Mental Symptoms
Behavioural Symptoms
Phobias usually don’t have a single cause but arise from a complex mix of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. The most common causes include:
Brain Chemistry: The way the brain processes fear and anxiety is closely linked to the development of Phobias. Imbalances in brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine can make some people more prone to developing Phobias. In such people, the brain’s amygdala, responsible for processing fear, becomes overactive, leading to exaggerated fear responses.
Genetics: Genetics plays a strong role in the development of Phobias, which is why Phobias tend to run in families. If someone in your family has or has had a phobia or Anxiety Disorder, the chances of you developing one are higher.
Traumatic Experiences: Traumatic experiences such as an animal attack like a dog bite may trigger Phobia. Similarly, a near-drowning experience may trigger a fear of drowning. These experiences condition your brain to associate specific situations, objects, or environments with danger, even when no actual threat exists.
Learned Behaviors: It may sound surprising, but Phobias can also develop by observing others with Phobias, even without having a direct traumatic experience. For instance, if the parent or sibling of a child has a strong fear of snakes, the child may also pick up the same Phobia by simply observing the reactions of that family member when exposed to snakes, be it in person (at a zoo, for instance) or on a screen of some kind.
At Betterplace, we diagnose Phobias through psychiatric evaluations, clinical assessments, and reviews of your medical history. These tests help our psychiatrists and psychologists gain insight into your condition and the symptoms that you might be experiencing. Our medical professionals use specific criteria from the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) and ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition) to diagnose your Phobias.
Phobias are highly treatable, and with the right approach, you can overcome your fears and lead a better life. Treatment is tailored to your needs, and often includes a combination of therapy and medication:
Psychotherapy: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for treating Phobias and is often the first type of treatment used. CBT teaches you to understand and challenge your malformed thoughts so that you can change your thought patterns for healthier ones.
Medication: While therapy is the cornerstone of Phobia treatment, medication can help manage the physical symptoms of Anxiety that accompany Phobias. Anti-anxiety medications can provide short-term relief in certain situations. Beta-blockers are sometimes prescribed to manage the physical symptoms of Phobia, such as rapid heartbeat or trembling.
Exposure Therapy: Exposure Therapy, a common form of CBT, is where you are gradually exposed to your Phobia in a safe and structured environment. The goal is to desensitise you slowly and reduce the fear response over time.
The cost of treatment for Phobia varies based on factors such as how often and how long you receive treatment, as well as the specific components of your plan. It costs INR 2,000 to book an appointment at BetterPlace and in your first 90-minute session, you get to meet our psychiatrist and clinical psychologist for a comprehensive understanding of your mental health issues.
Our team of experts carefully analyse your symptoms and accurately diagnose you to prescribe the most effective treatment option for your condition. No two patients are the same, neither will their treatments be. Our team works together to create a completely personalised treatment plan for your unique needs.
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages Hindi, English
Head of Clinical Governance
Therapy Mode Online, In-person
Languages Hindi, English
At BetterPlace, our experts have helped over 50,000 people navigate Phobias and other mental health challenges.
Our team includes experts trained in treating phobias, using advanced techniques like graded exposure and desensitisation therapy to help you face your fears safely and effectively.
Overcoming a phobia can feel overwhelming, but our empathetic team provides a supportive and non-judgmental space where you can work through your fears at your own pace.
We understand that everyone faces fears differently. That’s why we customise your treatment to match your comfort level, gradually guiding you towards overcoming your phobia without pressure.
Whether you prefer in-person sessions, virtual therapy, or a combination of both, our flexible treatment options are designed to fit into your life, making it easier for you to focus on overcoming your phobia.
When visiting BetterPlace, you can expect a welcoming environment where there is 0% judgment.
Meet with both a psychologist and a psychiatrist
Get an accurate understanding of your mental health
Get a personalised treatment plan
Get ongoing care with regular follow-ups
Visit our Experts today!
Fear is a normal response to a real or perceived threat, while a Phobia is an exaggerated and irrational fear of a specific object or situation. So, while fear might make you cautious around spiders, a Phobia could cause an intense, overwhelming reaction, like screaming at the sight of one.
Phobias can develop due to a combination of genetic predispositions, traumatic experiences, and learned behaviours. These factors can contribute to intense and irrational fears about specific objects or situations.
Yes, Phobias are treatable. Various therapies and strategies, such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), medication, and self-help techniques, can help you manage and overcome your Phobias effectively.
Yes, Phobias can develop in adulthood. While some Phobias may emerge in childhood, others can develop later in life due to traumatic experiences, stress, or major life changes that aren’t perceived as positive.
Phobias are diagnosed through a comprehensive assessment by a mental health professional. This typically involves discussing symptoms, triggers, and their impact on daily life. The DSM-5 criteria are often used for formal diagnosis.