How do I Overcome a Fear of People?

If you are suffering from a fear of people, you should seek the advice of a professional psychotherapist. If you are also suffering from social anxiety disorder in addition to a fear of people, there are methods a therapist may suggest to help you deal with new social situations. If you also suffer from panic attacks, a physician may recommend a course of anti-anxiety drugs to help you control the symptoms. Overcoming your fear of people may also include placing yourself in certain situations that cause you anxiety. Facing your fears head on in this way may help you overcome a people phobia.

Anthrophobia is a generalized term for someone suffering from a fear of people or social situations. If you feel you fit this description, you should seek professional help to determine a correct diagnosis. This is typically the first step in successful treatment.

If you suffer from anxiety every time you meet someone new or have to face a group of people, you may also be exhibiting symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If your symptoms are severe, they should be treated with medications only your doctor can prescribe. It's important you take the prescribed dosage in order for it to help you. If your doctor determines your fear of people or social disorder is not severe enough to warrant medication, you may be able to control the disorder through other methods.

In certain situations, exposure therapy or cognitive behavior therapy may be beneficial. Your therapist may recommend that you place yourself in the situation that frightens you the most, in an effort to de-sensitize yourself. Hypnotherapy may also be recommended. Hypnosis may help you discover where your fears stem from, such as a trauma that occurred earlier in life. During exposure therapy, you will be urged to talk about what frightens you and with the help of your therapist, you will be encouraged to work through this. The goal is to gain control of the factors that lead to your fears.

Another way to overcome your fear of people is to use relaxation or imagery concepts. To visualize the object of your fear as a positive influence may help you overcome your fears. The object of this technique is to bring you to a conscious state of awareness where you are in control, yet also completely relaxed and at peace. In this retraining practice, you will learn to see the object of your fears in a whole new realm.

It should be noted however, that you should not attempt any of these practices on your own. It is highly recommended that you do this under the guidance of a trained professional. This is because exposure therapy for a strong people fear may cause worsening symptoms or panic attacks if not done properly under the supervision of a professional. With the correct treatment plans and therapy, you can achieve positive results.