Phobias & How They Affect Us
By Comfort Umoren-Olorunnisomo Phobias are anxiety disorders that causes a person to experience irrational or overwhelming fear of a situation, place, creature or object which may not necessarily cause harm (Medical News, 2017). It can lead to panic attacks, anxiety and depression. Even when not in the situation that causes phobia, the brain creates a reaction to these worrisome situations (NHS UK, 2021). They can be traced to traumatic, fearful or stressful event in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. It can also be genetic or environmental factors. The imagined fear is usually greater than the actual threat of the phobia. Some of the symptoms attached with phobias include: Sweating and trembling Difficulty in breathing or choking Hot flushes or chills Racing heartbeat or tightness/pain in the chest Headache, nausea, dizziness Instant stomach upset fear, anxiety, depression Confusion, rapid speech or inability to speak According to DSM-5, phobias fall within the...