What is a Simple Phobia?

Simple phobias are some of the most common phobias or irrational fears. It’s thought that approximately 10% of people have some form of a simple phobia, which is usually the fear of a single type of thing; in fact, it’s also called a specific phobia. For instance, a person could be afraid of needles, an animal, or of flying. In many circumstances, the phobia doesn’t greatly interfere with everyday life, though there are exceptions. When confronted with the object of fear, fright and panic may become intense and be extremely discomfiting.

Lots of children have a simple phobia, and in childhood, expression of one of these does not necessarily mean that the child will be more phobic than average. Under many circumstances, children recover from specific phobia without any type of intervention. While it is present, trying to avoid the thing that causes fear is advisable.

Adolescents and adults are more likely to develop a simple phobia that is longer lasting, that may not get better without some form or treatment. Unlike in children, statistically, specific phobias don’t tend to dissipate if teens or adults have them. Instead, some of them may worsen over time, particularly if a person must experience the thing feared regularly. For example, a specific phobia of a type of dog breed is not going to get better if someone works as a vet technician, or a person who is diabetic and afraid of needles might be in a constant state of fear.

Each person may express fear in different ways, and most are flummoxed by its expression because they know they shouldn’t rationally be afraid of the situation or thing that scares them. This confusion or even self-criticism about the phobia may amplify symptoms. Some symptoms, which are extremely variable, could include elevated heart rate, heart palpitations, profuse perspiration, dry mouth, rapid breathing, stomach upset, shaking, and sometimes full-on panic attacks or fainting.

Given the difficult nature of the symptoms, it is good to know that many ways exist to address the simple phobia and to help people recover from an irrational fear. One approach is called desensitization. A therapist works with a client to gradually expose them more and more to the thing feared. Another option is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps to analyze underlying feelings that may provoke fear.

Some people derive benefit from work with a hypnotherapist. Guided exercises that can help produce a meditative or semi-meditative state may be practiced by a client and utilized when anticipating contact with the thing feared. Standard therapy may be employed in other cases, though this is not as proven as methods involving behavioral therapy.

There are treatment options and definite hope for recovery for the person with a simple phobia. While people are choosing the best method, they’re urged to not think badly of themselves for having developed an irrational fear. It helps to remember that a significant portion of the population share this same burden, and none of them deserve blame or censure for having a difficult condition they did not ask for and do not want.