Help with fear, apprehension and phobias

Fear is normal, natural and protects us from danger

Fear is one of the oldest emotions, originally designed to protect us from danger.

Fear alerts us to threats to our safety or well-being. When faced with a threat or danger, fear usually triggers a primal response of self-protection. We may flee from the threat or danger or we may confront the threat in an effort to defeat it. This is called the flight or fight response.

We all experience fear of certain experiences or situations at times. Feeling rational fear is normal.

When fear becomes a phobia

A phobia is an intense fear of certain objects or situations. Fear from phobias can be acute and cause complications that get in the way of daily life. A phobia is a kind of anxiety disorder.

In the UK, it is estimated that 10 million people have phobias, and these vary in type and severity.  At their worst, some people with acute phobias feel like they are living in a constant state of danger.

With phobias, fear is usually irrational. A person suffering from a phobia may understand there is no real danger in a situation but the fear and anxiety will feel very real.

Phobias can be about almost anything

Fear and phobias can be about almost anything and what triggers fear or a phobia in a person sometimes originates in their past experiences.

Fear of enclosed spaces, fear of flying, fear of public speaking and fear of dentists are all common phobias. Some phobias, like fear of bacteria and fear of spiders are further perpetuated by myth and popular culture. We are often taught to fear things that are generally harmless.

Some people with phobias are embarrassed by their fear and this can make the phobia even more anxiety-provoking.

For problems with irrational fears, one of our therapists may be able to help. Please get in touch if you would like to speak to someone.