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Specific Phobia - Psychologist - Vaughan, ON
Specific phobia influence many people in the Canadian population. According to Kessler, Chiu 2005, 19.2 million adults experience difficulties with at least one specific phobia. There is no common understanding regarding how a phobia is developed, but what the literature suggests is that specific phobias can typically develop at any age, however it’s more common for them to develop and have a lifelong prevalence at an early age or in adolescence.
From a theoretical perspective, behavioural theory tends to help explain why people tend to develop some of the phobias that they have. The theory suggests that some of the phobias that we learn are influenced by avoidance behaviours, seeing other people experience the situation or feared object negatively, or through negative exposure. Cognitive theories also provide clarity regarding how our thoughts also present as an obstacle in challenging our phobias and fears. Cognitive theories teach us that sometimes we hold a negative bias towards the negative situation or object. We may also interpret a situation to be of a certain way, which could also lead to us to want to avoid it. Also, our beliefs of the situation or object may also play a role in creating anxiety within us. For example, for those experiencing difficulties with a mouse phobia, they may hold thoughts that revolve around themes of disgust or threat without even being consciously aware of it.
Treatment:
Cognitive behavioural therapy has been found helpful for individuals who experience difficulties with specific phobic issues. Exposure based therapies have also been found to be effective and has been well documented in research. Much of the literature suggests that spaced out sessions with effective repeated exposure with little gaps in treatment can significantly help reduce symptoms for individuals experiencing difficulties with specific phobias. Exposure could be completed through imagination or actually experiencing the situation or object. Relaxation training can also help manage the emotional response and help think ‘more clearly’ in a feared situation.