Specific Phobia Symptoms Psychotherapy

Specific Phobia Symptoms Psychotherapy:

• Marked and persistent fear that is excessive or irrational, triggered by the presence or anticipation of the presence of a specific object or situation (eg air travel, heights, animals, injection, sight of blood, etc.).
• Exposure to the phobic stimulus almost always causes an immediate anxiety response which may take the form of a situationally linked or triggered panic attack.
• The person recognizes that the fear is excessive or irrational
• The phobic situation is avoided or endured with intense anxiety or discomfort
• Avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress associated with the phobic condition significantly interferes with the person’s usual daily activities, occupational functioning, or social activities and relationships, or there is clear distress about having the phobia.

What exactly is a phobia?

It is a way for our body to tell us that there is a state within us, a hidden state which while we have it within us, we are not aware of it. However, such a situation does not surface on its own because it is really fearful and repressed. We have repressed it because there are very strong feelings there that we do not want to let go. So the organism transposes all this atmosphere to some “object” which can be airplanes, leaving the house, germs, animals, etc. This transposition is difficult but more tolerable than facing the real fear directly which is hidden below.

There, psychotherapy is needed to discover what is hiding and causing symptoms. In psychotherapy we use what happens between the therapist and the treated, we use the dream process as well as free association to be able to bring the self, gradually, into contact with its emotions. This process is long-term and does not simply reduce the symptoms but enables the person to come closer to himself and others.

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See also: Social phobia
See also: Primal stress

The process of psychotherapy requires commitment, dedication and is addressed only to those who seriously see that they need to change their lives. If you are thinking of starting this journey, call me at 211 71 51 801 to make an appointment and see together how I can help you.

Mixalis Paterakis
Psychologist Psychotherapist
I accept by appointment
Karneadou 37 Kolonaki
Tel: 211 71 51 801
www.mixalispaterakis.gr
www.psychotherapy.net.gr