Most of us have things we’re afraid of that make us briefly anxious. Having a phobia is very different. It involves having an extreme, overpowering and persistent fear of a specific object or situation that’s out of proportion with the actual danger it poses.
Phobias can develop around a wide range of contexts such as flying, going to the dentist, being in spaces that are difficult to exit, encountering specific animals, and also in response to a wide array of objects, such as needles, vomit or blood, or even seemingly harmless objects too.
Specific phobias are among the most common anxiety disorders, and not all phobias need treatment. But if a specific phobia affects your daily life, several therapies are available that can help you work through and overcome your fears — often permanently.
People with a phobia will experience an intense sense of dread or panic when faced with the subject of their fear.
These fears can become all-consuming and have a big impact on the way someone functions in their everyday life, both at work and in personal relationships.
If you’re close to someone who is suffering with a phobia there are a number of things you can do to help them.
It’s important to take their phobia seriously. Even if you don’t understand the fear, it is likely causing them a lot of distress and anxiety.
Read online resources about what it is. Other people’s experiences will help you understand what they’re going through. Listen to the person about their personal experience too.
It can be important, even if you do so with the best of intentions, not to pressurise your friend or loved one into phobic situations or encounters with phobic objects before they decide they’re ready. Often, the best way forward is to encourage them to access psychological therapy, on their own terms, which will allow them to deal with the phobia through a structured approach they feel in control of.
Support them in seeking help. Help them arrange a GP appointment and go with them if they would like you to. The GP will refer them to a therapist who will be able to help.
Reassure them that help is available and that it’s absolutely possible to live a life free of any and all phobias.
We’ve helped thousands of people feel better. Here are their stories of recovery and growth.
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CBT has helped me become much more self aware in many areas of my life, over and above the difficulty that prompted me to apply, so even though sessions have ended I use what I have learned to help me navigate life every single day. Do try this. It may not be for everyone but you may be surprised how much it can help you and even change your life!
I cannot praise ieso highly enough... I have learnt so much and have many tools that I can now use to remind me of all I have learnt. You need to, and are expected to, put in effort to try and help yourself, along with so much help, empathy and kindness from your therapist.
Following instructions, I started exercises and after two or three sessions started to feel the benefit. All I can say is, give it a go, it can't make you feel worse only better.
After 12 sessions with my amazing therapist I left with a variety of tools to help me manage my anxieties going forward. It’s helped me more than I thought and I have a strong well-being plan in place for the future.
I found the format - online text based - very easy to do and clarifying. The structure of the sessions enabled me to better frame my issues, understand my behaviour and find new ways to behave.
I could download the whole therapy session afterwards to re-read it and think about it. I had a good number of sessions and felt at the end that I had made real positive progress!
ieso is working in partnership with the NHS Talking Therapies in Surrey providing free and confidential talking therapy to adults aged 17 and over across Surrey. It’s quick and easy to access our service, with no need to see your GP first.
Simply click on the Self-refer button to answer a few questions via our online referral chat, and you can have your first session within days.