Phobias (cont.)
What are the effects of phobias?
If left untreated, a phobia may worsen to
the point in which the person's life is seriously affected, both by the phobia
itself and/or by attempts to avoid or conceal it. In fact, some people have had
problems with friends and family, failed in school, and/or lost jobs while
struggling to cope with a severe phobia. There may be periods of spontaneous
improvement, but a phobia does not usually go away unless the person receives
treatments designed specifically to help phobia sufferers. Alcoholics can be up
to 10 times more likely to suffer from a phobia than those who are not
alcoholics, and phobic individuals can be twice as likely to be addicted to
alcohol than those who have never been phobic.
What are the causes and risk factors for phobias?
While there is no one specific known cause for phobias, it is thought that
phobias run in families, are influenced by culture, and can be triggered by life
events. Immediate family members of people with phobias are
about three times more likely to also suffer from a phobia than those who do not
have such a family history. Phobia sufferers
have been found to be more likely to manage stress by avoiding the stressful
situation and by having difficulty minimizing the intensity of the fearful
situation.
What are the signs and symptoms of phobias?
Symptoms of phobias often involve having a panic attack -- in that they include
feelings of panic, dread, or terror, despite recognition that those feelings are
excessive in relationship to any real danger -- as well as physical symptoms like
shaking, rapid heart beat, trouble breathing, and an overwhelming desire to
escape the situation that is causing the phobic reaction. Also, extreme measures
are sometimes taken to escape the situation.
Next: How are phobias assessed? »
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