Modern Health Observation

Phobias are a form of pathological anxiety. A phobia is an abnormal fear of an object or situation. Agoraphobia, for example, is the fear of being in public places, surrounded by the crowd and unable to escape easily if one is panicking.

There are many phobias, phobias of animals (mice, dogs, snakes, spiders …), phobias situations (fear of enclosed spaces such as elevators, tunnels, fear of heights, water from the plane …), social phobia (fear of public speaking, agoraphobia, fear of blushing …), etc..

Phobias are not just fear of an object or situation. They are mostly irrational fears unjustified or disproportionate to their cause. Persons who are subject know that these fears are irrational but can not help but feel extreme anxiety up panic.

Many phobics suffer relatively little for their trouble because what triggers their phobia is easy to avoid (it can happen to take the lift without too much difficulty if we do not live on the 30th floor). But others are severely handicapped in their work and personal relationships.

The most crippling phobias are social phobia because they echo a lot about the daily lives of those who are affected. They sometimes lead to or pathological behavior (alcohol …).

The social phobia tend to devalue and overrate others. An error, a blunder, the more embarrassing than necessary. They blush easily, feel that all eyes are on them. Their main fear is focused on specific situations: public speaking, talking to his superiors to court … In many cases, the disability that led to drastically limit their relationships and their social life, with the exception of a few friends or close relatives.

A phobia is different from shyness. The timid may also have their character but they feel no signs of anxiety or panic when in situations that interfere. They do not necessarily seek to avoid at all costs.

What are the causes, what is evolution?

More than one in ten is subject to phobias more or less important. The causes of this disorder are not known. There is often a familial predisposition. They are slightly more common in women. They exist in many children and then often disappear in adulthood.

What are the treatments?

No treatment is necessary when the object of the phobia is easily preventable or rarely met. Many women are terrified of mice, but this does not prevent them from leading a normal life.

In other cases, the phobia can be treated with medications (anxiolytics) when the situation creates can not be avoided. Some businessmen have their cocktail of tranquilizers they absorb half an hour before boarding the plane. Some actors and musicians who take beta blockers calm the jitters when it is too strong.

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