Overcome Phobia

Phobia-what is it?

The literal interpretation of the word phobia, a Greek word, is feeling nervous and fearful. Using the medical jargon, phobia could be defined as a persistent, irrational, and abnormal aversion or fear of certain situations, objects, events, people and so on. There exist different levels of phobia, which almost every human being might have encountered at some point of his/her lifetime. However, when the intensity of phobia increases so as to interfere in the daily routines of a person, it alleviates into an anxiety disorder. There are umpteen possible reasons for a person to be inclined to phobias; however few general causes can be-

1. The person is traumatized by a certain event in his/her life.

2. Externalization of repressed feelings.

Overcoming Phobia

A phobia that causes irregularities to the health of a person or affects the behavioral patterns of a person need to be addressed by a qualified psychologist, however, for the other mild ones, a self-conscious and confident effort to get rid of the phobia, can cure it gradually. Few steps in that direction, are listed below-

Being positive and being optimistic is one of the driving factors in any change. So, be positive in your outlook. Be optimistic. Have a goal, a vision, visualize the change you desire.

Identify the phobia, the cause that invokes the phobia and if possible the reason that triggered the phobia (yes, phobias are irrational and usually has no reasoning behind it, but the presence of a reason for that irrationality to be developed in self, can be figured out through self-analysis).

List the causes that invoke phobia from the weakest to the strongest.

Learn few relaxing and self-control techniques. Develop a self-control mechanism, through exercise or meditation (that implies increasing your concentration power and self-awareness, not closing your eyes to go for a deep sleep!). Identify and understand the changes that occur in your mind and body when the object or person or situation leading to the phobia is encountered by you.

In a relaxed state of mind, visualize the weakest link from the list done earlier and try to face it without fear. Repeat it over and again, until subconsciously you can master it. Jump on to the higher links. Celebrate your riddance of fears and appreciate your improvement.

There are several other treatments to overcome phobias. Hypnotherapy, psychiatric techniques, psychological treatments are very helpful and perhaps the presence of a motivator in the form of a doctor can increase the effectiveness of the same techniques as that of self-treatment, by leaps and bounds. A supporting friend or a family member can prove to be a boon in such cases in order to help you in overcoming phobias. At the end of the day, it’s up to you, your mind to master your fear. Henry Ford’s words (although said in a different context) can be recalled here “if you think you can, you’re right! And if you think you can’t, you’re still right!