Phobia (phobia): definition, symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition of a phobia

A phobia or phobia is a persistent, exaggerated, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation. This condition is a type of anxiety disorder.

Unlike ordinary, temporary anxiety — such as having to speak in public or face a test — a phobia is a permanent condition, which causes physical reactions and psychological stress.

This mental illness can affect the ability to work or interact in a normal social environment. The reason is, people who experience this condition will try to avoid things that trigger fear or endure it with great anxiety.

What are the types of phobias?

After knowing the meaning of phobia or phobia, now is the time for you to discuss the types or types of phobias. Quoted from Harvard Health Publishing , broadly speaking, the types of phobias are:

Specific phobia

There is no medical examination such as a laboratory to diagnose this condition. An examination that is often used as a reference for diagnosis phobia is to do a clinical interview.

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. From there, the doctor will then draw conclusions about your condition.

The doctor will probably use criteria Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association to determine your condition.

Psychiatry in Indonesia uses these criteria which are also known as PPDGJ (Practical Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Mental Disorders).

What are the treatment options for phobias?

This condition is treatable and most people with phobias are well aware of the condition. This can help the doctor make a diagnosis.

Treatment for phobic conditions includes a combination of drugs and psychotherapy depending on the type experienced. Some of the treatments to treat this condition are:

Specific phobia

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or cognitive behavioral therapy can help treat this condition, especially through a procedure called desensitization therapy or exposure therapy.

This technique gradually increases your exposure to the dreaded thing, at your own pace.

Continuous exposure to these objects will teach you to master your fear through relaxation, breathing control, or other anxiety-reducing strategies.

In addition, your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medications to treat short-term phobias.

Social phobia

For more general or long-term forms of social phobia, a medication that may be prescribed is an antidepressant, usually an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

If SSRIs aren't effective, your doctor may prescribe an alternative anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication.

Cognitive behavioral therapy also works well for people with social phobia, both in individual and group settings.

Agoraphobia

Treatments for this condition are similar to those for panic disorder. Drug treatments include SSRI antidepressants and various other types of antidepressants, such as mirtazapine, venlafaxine, clomipramine, and imipramine.

Phobia prevention

What can I do to help myself?

Self-help strategies and therapies can work effectively to treat phobias.

The right treatment for you depends on its severity phobia , access to professional therapy, and the amount of support you need.

Helping yourself to prevent or overcome a phobia is worth trying. This is because the more you can handle it yourself, the better you will be able to control what you feel.

Some tips that you can do to help yourself due to phobias include: