What is a Phobia? People who experience Phobias have a strong fear of a particular situation or object. The anxiety is often so high that they experience panic attacks and dread being near the target of the phobia or they avoid it altogether. Many people with Phobias do not seek help because they are able to lead their lives with minimal interference. But other people suffer at work, at home and in social situations because they structure their lives around managing the phobia to avoid experiencing unpleasant or debilitating levels of anxiety.   Types of Phobias At The Anxiety Clinic, we offer treatment for a range of Specific Phobias. Most Phobias involve fears of objects or situations that warrant a degree of caution because they have the potential to be dangerous. Common Phobias include:   Animal Phobias (spiders, dogs, cats, bees, bats, rats) Blood-Injury Phobias (needles, unexpected injuries) Illness Phobias (fear of becoming ill or dying due to a specific physical problem or injury) Height Phobias (people suffering vertigo and urges to jump during fears of high floors of buildings, mountains, bridges) Fear of Flying (involving the fear that the plane will have an accident or mishap that will result in death; may involve fears of terrorism) Medical Procedure Phobias (fear of dentists, attending the doctor) Fear of the Dark Fear of Water             How do Phobias Develop? Phobias tend to develop in childhood and adolescence. Some phobias will be resolved in early adultood, while others may require help if it is impacting negatively on a person's life. There has been debate about the cause of Phobias, with research indicating an interaction between genetic factors and environmental factors, such as a negative experience with the target of their anxiety. Some people may not have had the opportunity to outgrow a childhood fear (such as a fear of the dentist) and others may have come, over time, to developing more apprehension about the feelings of anxiety that are triggered by their Phobia than the actual object or situation itself.   Treatment for Specific Phobias Many people live with Specific Phobias that do not cause significant distress. However, psychological therapy can be an effective way to manage Phobias that have begun to intrude on a person's life plans.Therapy involves several components: Psychoeducation: learning about the nature of Phobias and how they can trigger the flight-fight response Hyperventilation control: learning how to manage the physical symptoms of anxiety and reduce panic attacks Relaxation strategies Graded exposure: the development of a plan, with the help of a trained therapist, to gradually expose people to the target of their specific fear Cognitive therapy: exploring the link between anxiety and the way people think when they are confronted by an object or situation that triggers a phobic reaction