Tried and Tested Methods for Eliminating Various Fears and Phobias

Do you have an intense fear of heights, or a fear of clowns? If you have, then you likely have a phobia, or an intense fear of something that, in reality, poses little or no actual danger to you.  While many of those who have phobias realise that their fear is unreasonable, the problem is that they still can't control their feelings, and thus continue to bear the nerve-wracking fear. So before you drop future travel plans because of the fear of flying, or turn down a job because the office is located on the 29th floor of a building, here are a few helpful tips on how to control, or eliminate your phobias.

The Most Common Types of Phobias

According to experts, there are four general types of phobias and fears, and these are animal phobias, natural environment phobias, situational phobias and blood-injection-injury phobias. The good thing is that there are a lot of innovative ways for treating phobias, and this includes Hypnotherapy Adelaide. 

Examples of animal phobias include the fear of snakes, rats or dogs. Natural environment phobias include fear of heights or water, while situational phobias include fear of enclosed spaces, public speaking or driving. Blood-Injection-Injury phobias refer to the fear of blood, injury, needles and certain medical procedures.  

 

The Physical & Emotional Symptoms of Phobias

The general physical signs and symptoms of phobias include a racing or pounding heart, difficulty breathing, trembling or shaking, hot or cold flashes, sweating and a dizzy or lightheaded feeling. The emotional symptoms include an overwhelming feeling of panic, a fear of losing control, a feeling of powerlessness, and an intense need to escape.

Tried & Tested Methods for Dealing with Phobias

Phobias are relatively common, but if they do cause undue stress, then the person should seek professional medical help or counseling. The patient should consider treatment for phobia if it already causes intense or disabling fear and anxiety, and it disrupts the normal pace of life.

Most health experts believe that the best strategy against phobias is for the person to face their fears one step at a time, learn relaxation techniques and challenge negative thoughts.

By gradually and repeatedly exposing yourself to your fears (in a safe and controlled way), you'll learn how to ride out the fear until it passes. The best relaxation techniques for yoga include deep breathing, yoga, meditation and muscle relaxation, as these improve a person's ability to control the physical symptoms of anxiety.

A unique way to challenge negative thoughts and fears is to undergo hypnosis therapy. Many alternative medicine experts have suggested that patients undergo hypnotherapy for weight loss, smoking and the treatment of fears and phobias, as it determines the underlying causes of the phobia, removes the person's conditioned response to the stimulus, and puts them in a hypnotic trance. And while the person is in a trance-like state, they'll be very receptive to suggestion, which opens the opportunity for bringing about the desired change.