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Phobias are a form of Specific Anxiety and are created in order
to reduce very high levels of anxiety.
Our minds often find a suitable "trigger" - situations
or objects which, when encountered, give us the opportunity to release
some of that pent-up anxiety. These triggers are the basis for a
phobia and every time we encounter the triggers from that point
on we reinforce the phobia.
They have a constructive use in that they are designed by our subconscious
minds as a way to avoid situations that cause us stress and as a
way of releasing pent-up anxiety.
The underlying feeling is often one of being
"out of control."
Over time, phobias may grow to the point where they have a serious
impact upon the sufferer's life, where they begin to lead their
lives in a way which avoids the phobic trigger but which ultimately
leads to a fear of the fear itself.
It is not uncommon for phobics to gradually limit their lifestyles
and activities as a way to avoid the cause of the phobia. The boundaries
of their life, their abilities, ambitions and freedoms are gradually
eroded, having a serious impact on their professional and personal
lives and upon their families' lives also.
Phobias fall into two groups;
 Where
the phobia is related to one specific object or situation, i.e.
spiders or heights.
Some phobias are more common, which may be due to the fact that
fears of some objects, such as snakes, heights or water were useful
and life-preserving to our ancestors and so it is easier for a phobia
to develop, rather than more recent threats, such as guns or computers
for example.
Where the phobia is related to a range of objects or situations
i.e. social
phobia or agoraphobia.
The following is a brief list of the more common phobias
which I have dealt with using hypnotherapy;
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