Phobia Management with Therapy & Counselling
The word phobia sounds terrifying. It is indeed, because a phobia is an extreme level of fear. We all generally do not like the feeling of fear, it makes us uncomfortable, gives us unpleasant sensations. To imagine something that’s greater in intensity is out of the question. It may sound more petrifying. Some may not comprehend with the word phobia, but for those who have experienced a phobia, it is a monster.
How do I know I have a phobia?
There are different kinds of phobia called as specific phobias depending on various situations and objects. The common symptoms are:
• Strong sense of fear
• Urge for avoidance
• Thoughts of death
• Pounding heart
• Shivering legs
• Heavy chest
• Shallow breath
• Dizziness
• Making exit plans
Few real specific phobia stories
Acrophobia – Fear of heights
“My friends make fun of me when I can’t climb the stairs on my own. I need the support of someone, just to hold me. Otherwise, I feel the height grabs me down. It is much more difficult when I have to climb down. My head feels dizzy when I turn and without someone else holding me, I can’t take steps forward. I tend to lose my balance out of fear.” – Madhuri, 25 years
Herpetophobia – Fear of reptiles
“Lizards are my worst nightmare. I know they are common in my locality. It is found in every house on the ceilings. Just the thought of a lizard falling on my head chokes my breath. I cannot tolerate its movements and sound. I am sure shot to run away from that place.” – Neela, 34 years
Agoraphobia or Social phobia
“I cannot step out of the home without an exit plan. I start to get uncomfortable thinking about heading outside especially in crowded places like malls and theatres. I am afraid I will not look good, I am afraid that I can’t speak well with others. I do not miss these places as much as I miss the fun with friends. I cannot express with anyone else about my inhibitions. They might not understand at all.” – Karthik, 21 years.
I have noticed my phobia, it is alienating me
Yes, alienation is the topmost effects of having a phobia. You cannot lead a normal life when others carry on with their lives undisturbed by any issues. It is because of your phobia that you miss out several experiences in your life. Your phobia gets in the way and forces you to take the path of avoidance. Slowly, you will notice that it is not just the phobia, but this fear about phobia, and even anxiety about anxiety is stopping you from taking actions towards getting better at your matter of phobia.
Yes, it is also common to think that you are the only one affected by the phobia. However, research has shown that every individual has one or the other kind of phobia. Some get away with it because their source of phobia does not come into the picture in their everyday life.
A person with a phobia for oceans can lead a comfortable life in a city which does not have a beach. It is definitely different from a driving phobia or social phobia which interferes with the normal routine. Every phobia is a challenging task to overcome because it takes a lot of efforts to muster the courage and face the problematic situation.
What can I do about my phobia? Will Therapy & Counselling help me?
Therapy and counselling with third-wave Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a non-judgmental approach to understand your troubles with a phobia. Your therapist is well trained in phobia management and well versed with the methodologies to help you slowly and steadily accept and overcome your phobia.
Therapy for phobia is known for its experiential exercises, techniques and mindfulness strategies that allow you to visualize and get in touch with your phobia while in therapy. As and when you start to practice these exercises, you will learn to face your phobia in tiny teeny steps. Gradually, by achieving smaller goals you will gain the confidence to take a chance with your most difficult phobic situation.
Brief me on the therapy approach towards my phobia
Stage 1: Assessment
The first stage of therapy is a detailed assessment by the therapist of your particular situation. This includes elaborate conversations with the therapist about your childhood, adulthood, current life, parenting, environmental factors, etc. This gives a fair enough idea for the therapist to choose a methodology that works effectively on your unique case.
Stage 2: Trigger study
The therapist gets in depth to understand how the trigger point is acting upon you. Your body’s response towards the situation and various ways you could learn to handle yourselves at the given circumstance. In this stage, the therapist maps out goals that you want to achieve at the end of all your therapy sessions. The therapist then begins with a set of experiential exercises that could help you enormously deal with your phobia.
Stage 3: Practise the exercise
This is a step that involves applying the exercises that you have learned from the therapist on other aspects of your life. Other situations which may trigger fear but not as intense as your main phobia. For instance, your major phobia was meeting people at a mall and your small fear factor was to think about it. To begin with, you will start to apply the techniques taught by the therapist in those areas to familiarise yourselves to deal with fear.
Stage 4: Exposure
By the commencement of this stage, you will have a hang of using the techniques and exercises to deal with your phobia. When the situation is to face your biggest fear, you may have multiple questions running in your mind. With your familiarity with implementing the tools and techniques for lesser intensity fears, you will perform better at handling your major fears. To your surprise, you would have faced your phobia much confidently than before.
Stage 5: Reassurance & Support
The therapist offers a few support sessions once you have become confident in dealing with your phobia. Few more useful mindful exercises will be taught which comes handy when you encounter your deadliest fear unexpectedly. That way you will become well equipped to manage yourselves from the influence of phobia.
What if I cannot get rid of my phobia with Therapy & Counselling?
This is an interesting question to answer. Getting rid of fear is a myth. You can always get better at handling your phobia. Fear is a natural phenomenon that occurs when you get out of your comfort zones. It is a natural response to prepare you to run from danger. Fear is adaptive and is going to pop up once in a while. But with therapy you will learn to handle this more effectively.
Understanding the above fact will change your perspective from fear being bad to being natural. In fact, a phobia is an irrational fear. With therapy and counselling, you will learn how to deal with its irrational nature and to start taking steps towards the life you wanted for yourself. Therapy and counselling will help you be a stronger person to tackle your phobia.
What changes can I see after the phobia therapy?
• Positive outlook towards life
• The relaxed frame of mind while facing fear
• Increased confidence about life
• Happier state of mind
• Increased energy
Looks like huge money is involved for Phobia Therapy
At Aware, the belief is firm in making therapy affordable to everyone to improve the mental health of individuals in our country. Therapy charges are not exorbitantly expensive for you to miss a life-changing experience. Your investment for therapy and counselling for Phobia is a worthwhile and satisfying journey towards your life’s important goals.
What if I cannot attend sessions when I am away?
We live a life of busy bees. In this era, work and family call for a lot of travelling. Your therapist will be available to take distance sessions in your preferred medium like an online session or a telephonic session.
This way your phobia therapy sessions are always consistent and do not give you a break in between. Maintaining good consistency plays a very big role in providing fruitful results to your existing problems
Have more questions running in your mind?
Your therapist will be available to answer any questions you might have to clarify your doubts about counselling. Please feel free to call or whatsapp at +918660388394 or email at contact@awaremh.com
I am the better version of myself. I can do everything like the way I never did before. I am changing, improving and doing what I always wanted to do.
Take the next step
Call at +91 86603 88394 and we can set up a consultation.
If you would like to schedule an appointment instead, please click here:
Take the next step
Call at +91 86603 88394 and we can set up a consultation.
If you would like to schedule an appointment instead, please click here: