Phobias as Real Psychological Illnesses - Essay Example

An Introduction to Phobias Contrary to the more popular belief that a phobia is a fear of something that exists only in a persons mind and can be overcome simply by facing that fear headlong, the scientific, medical, and psychological community have all come to an agreement about the existence of phobias. It is a real illness that may, at times, require medical treatment in order to help a person deal with his irrational fear, more commonly known as a phobia. Through this paper, an effort will be made to present this definition, history, genetic aspect, signs and symptoms, and treatments that are involved in dealing with a person who lives his life with phobia. The most recent evidence and information about phobia has been gathered from newspaper articles and reputable websites in order to help create a more interesting and informative discussion about this topic. The most basic definition of a phobia is enough to make one believe that people are all afflicted by one phobia or another that occupies one part of their daily lives. This is a fear that may have an irrational basis and yet manages to cause a highly disturbing anxiety disorder within the person. It creates a phobia, which by definition can be described as, “a relentless dread of a situation, living creature, place, or thing” ( Medical News Today, “What is a Phobia?”). More often than not, a person afflicted with a phobia will find that he suffers from enormous distress that can either lead to total panic or an inability to function in a normal way within the confines of their daily life. Due to the debilitating effects that phobias sometimes cause its sufferers, the psychological community has taken on the responsibility of delving deeper into the history, background, and development of a phobia. The most recent study conducted by the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA has revealed that our DNA might have a direct relation to the development of certain phobias. Dr. Brian Dias, a member of the research team from the university explains that; We have begun to explore an underappreciated influence on adult behaviour – ancestral experience before conception. From a translational perspective, our results allow us to appreciate how the experiences of a parent, before even conceiving offspring, markedly influence both structure and function in the nervous system of subsequent generations. Such a phenomenon may contribute to the etiology and potential intergenerational transmission of risk for neuropsychiatric disorders such as phobias, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (Gray, “Phobias May Be Memories Passed Down in Genes From Ancestors”). The aforementioned study promotes the belief that the rise of phobias in a person is something that is more of a hereditary trait than an assumed one. The human DNA is believed to be a genetic recorder of the history of a person. Therefore, all the life experiences of the previous generations continue to live in the newest members of the family group. As such, the evolving life experiences of the past generation find a way to become part of the development of the new individual. This development includes the irrational fears of the previous generation and the inability of that person to properly deal with his fear. Hence leaving the next generation handicapped when it comes to dealing with that particular type of challenge in his life. Knowing that our DNA plays an important role in the development of phobias in a person, it becomes easier even for the lay person to recognize the signs and symptoms of a person afflicted with a phobia. The signs and symptoms of a phobia in a person can be anything from a psychological symptom to a physical one. A person who suffers from a specific type of phobia will avoid any situation that will place him in direct contact with the item or situation that triggers fear and anxiety in them. Uncomfortable life experiences can also cause a phobia to develop in a person. This type of psychological phobia trigger is known as a panic attack. A more specific listing of the physical symptoms of a phobia include the following: sweating trembling difficulty in breathing butterflies in the stomach nausea headaches and dizziness dry mouth confusion numbness (NHS, “Phobias - Symptoms”) Thankfully, people afflicted with phobias do not need to live their lives gripped by their fears. There are actually medically sound treatments available to people who wish to overcome their debilitating phobias. In fact, people whose lives are over taken by their irrational fears are encouraged to seek treatment in order to regain control of their lives. It may not be possible to totally eradicate the fears of a person, but it can certainly be controlled to a certain extent. This will allow the person to then function normally within their daily lives. There are actually three types of treatments that a person can try in an effort to curb the phobia. The two most effective forms of treatment are talking treatments and medicine. Talking treatments include counseling and psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavior therapy. Known as CBT, this type of therapy tries to change the mindset of a person when it comes to the way that he views his phobia. By changing the way that a person behaves and thinks about his phobia, a person will be able to develop a practical way of addressing his phobia. The treatment involves a gradual exposure to the fear, which will cause the person to become less anxious and desensitized to the fear. Exposure therapy dictates an increasing amount of exposure to the cause of the phobia until the person gains control of the phobia. In extreme cases however, medication might be required in order to control the persons fear and anxiety. This is not normally prescribed as a treatment but proves to be effective in the most extreme cases. These are short term solutions to help control a persons anxiety using either anti-depressants, tranquilizers, or beta blockers. All of which are designed to help ease the anxiety factor in a person (NHS, “Phobias - Treatment”). A person need not spend his life suffering with irrational fear. Phobias are recognized as real psychological illnesses that are treatable and controllable in our modern society. All a person that is afflicted with a phobia has to do is be brave enough to admit he has a phobia and seek treatment for it. That is all a person with a phobia has to do in order to begin to lead a phobia free life that he can truly enjoy. Sources Gray, R. (2013). Phobias may be memories passed down in genes from ancestors. telegraph.co.uk. telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10486479/Phobias-may-be- memories-passed-down-in-genes-from-ancestors.html Medical News Today. (2014). What is a phobia? What causes phobia?. medicalnewstoday.com. medicalnewstoday.com. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249347.php NHS. (n.d.). Phobias - symptoms. nhs.uk. nhs.uk. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Phobias/Pages/Symptoms.aspx NHS. (n.d.). Treating phobias. nhs.uk. nhs.uk. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Phobias/Pages/treatment.aspx Read More