Q: Where can I get help to cure my phobia?
A: You can consult your general practitioner who can then connect you to a psychiatrist or any mental health specialist.
Q: What is the difference between a fear and a phobia?
A: An example of fear is a child being afraid of darkness and refusing to sleep alone. A fear usually goes away. A phobia is an irrational, persistent fear that usually does not go away.
Q: Why does a phobia sometimes have two or three names?
A: That is because there were no ‘phobia names’ to begin with. Phobia names are made up by people - mostly in the medical line. They make up a new name for a phobia when they don’t find an existing one. Hence the multiple names.
Q: Is there a way of preventing specific phobias?
A: Many specific phobias cannot be prevented but, early intervention and treatment soon after a traumatic experience may reduce severe anxiety in the person and prevent development of chronic fear associated with the incident.
Q: How does hypnotherapy work?
A: Hypnotherapy aims to remove the root cause of the fear by working with the subconscious state of mind.
Q: What would be the outlook for people with specific phobias?
A: Most people with specific phobias can be successfully treated with therapy. Treatment may involve medication in some cases.
