3 Tools to Rein In Your Phobias
 

What is a phobia?

The DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition), the “Bible” that we therapists use, states that “individuals with specific phobia are fearful or anxious about or avoidant of circumscribed objects or situation...to a degree that is persistent and out of proportion to the actual risk posed.” (p. 189-90)

Common phobias include fear of animals, heights, flying, enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), going out to public places (agoraphobia), water, needles/blood and social situations.

In research studies, it's been shown that fear of public speaking ranks higher than the fear of death. People would actually rather die than have to speak in front of a group! Let's take social phobia as an example:

What are people so afraid of?

They're terrified of being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected, or offending others.

What's at the core of these fears?

Negative self-judgment. Feeling bad about themselves. Having thoughts like:

• I'm not good enough.

• I’m not strong enough.

• This thing is bigger than me.

• This fear is bigger than me.

What does control have to do with it?

There's also a preoccupation with needing to be in control, and a fear of losing control triggers anxiety.

The reality is, there are many situations that we cannot control. And we certainly can't control what people are going to think or how they are going to behave.

What can you control?

You can control your own reality and how you deal with whatever's going on around you.

3 Tools to Rein in Your Phobias...

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Warmly,
Adriana