Can Phobias Be Completely Overcome With Therapy?
A phobia is a condition whereby something that would not normally be frightening becomes much scarier than it should be. Despite being aware that there is no real danger from a spider, lift, flying, or medical visit, the body may respond with fear. It results in avoidance and anxiety. But there is hope because people suffering from a phobia are usually able to overcome it through treatment. In such cases, phobia therapy can be very helpful.
What Makes a Phobia So Difficult?
A phobia is not simply disliking something; it can lead to trembling, sweating, lightheadedness, a fast heartbeat or the sensation of an impending disaster. It can result in a connection with avoidance. In the case of someone who is terrified of flying, for instance, they could stop traveling by air completely.
While avoidance can appear to be advantageous as it leads to immediate relief, it can also lead to the perpetuation of the fear. By repeatedly avoiding a situation that a person is fearful of, they will have little opportunity to realise that they are capable of handling it.
Can Therapy Remove the Fear Completely?
While for some individuals, the therapy brings about significant changes, and the phobia no longer influences their life greatly. Nevertheless, it would be inaccurate to guarantee that everyone becomes free from fear.
It might be more realistic to use a less idealistic approach, since the purpose of the therapy does not necessarily involve eliminating the fear. The person learns to function and plan their lives independently of the fear; even though they continue experiencing the sensation, they understand that it is controllable.
In addition, results differ; the treatment of the simple phobia might occur faster, than the treatment of the more complex one. The experiences in the past, the habit of avoidance and other anxiety disorders can affect the progress.
How Does Exposure Therapy Help?
One such method of treatment for phobias is exposure. This means not suddenly forcing the individual into their most feared situation. Rather, the therapist and individual will come up with a staged process to start with.
If an individual is fearful of dogs, they might begin by discussing the dogs before moving on to looking at pictures of them. They may also have a video of dogs, seeing them from far away and even close.
By exposing the individual to the situation repeatedly, their brain can start to realize that it is not as harmful as expected and the anxiety becomes more bearable. This method of gradually building confidence is according to NHS advice.
The Role of CBT
CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy) could also help. It involves the examination of how one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviour interrelate. A therapist can assist an individual in realizing his/her negative thoughts like “I am going to lose control” or “Something terrible is going to happen” and whether such thoughts are true.
CBT can also look into behaviour that maintains the phobia including escaping, avoidance, checking, or seeking reassurance from other people. Rather than just talking about the anxiety, therapy involves practicing new ways of dealing with the situation. According to the NHS, CBT falls under talking therapies, which can be utilized to treat phobias, whereby treatment will involve practical elements outside therapy sessions.
What If Fear Returns?
Recovery from a phobia is not necessarily a smooth path. It is possible for someone to make progress and then have a setback due to a stressful event or a lengthy period where he/she hasn’t been confronted with the fear. This does not indicate failure.
The skills acquired in the course of therapy can be applied again. One might need to take a step back and go back to previous, smaller steps to regain confidence. Perfect calmness at all times is not the objective here.
When Should Someone Seek Help?
The need for professional assistance arises when one’s fear begins to interfere with their work, travelling, relationship, appointment, or daily activities. Seeking help is also advisable when one is using avoidance as the method of coping with the anxiety problem.
A psychologist would determine the nature of the problem and the appropriate treatment method. It is important that the treatment be gradual instead of exposing one to a scary situation before they are prepared.
Conclusion
However, are phobias treatable altogether? In a lot of instances, phobia therapy can bring about a significant improvement in one’s condition, and many individuals have been able to go so far as to get to a stage where their phobia does not control their life anymore. Nevertheless, there are a variety of treatment methods, and everyone can recover in their own way. The main aim here is to minimize avoidance, boost confidence and realize that fear can be dealt with and not followed. For people looking for an expert opinion, Pinnacle Therapy can be considered a place to consider help and choices.
