| Many phobias have their roots in childhood. It could | | | | stress. |
| be something you were scared of as a child, both | | | | Severe phobias can have a negative affect on |
| real or imagined. Fear of the dark, fear of spider, | | | | your day-to-day life. They can develop into social |
| fear of the unknown - these are all common | | | | disorders, where a person avoid social contact for |
| childhood fears and they all have adult phobias | | | | fear of their phobia being set off. They can also |
| associated with them. These types of fears are | | | | cause you to miss out on many great |
| normal for children, but they can cause problems | | | | experiences. |
| when they remain with us into adulthood. | | | | For example, a person who has a fear of heights |
| A phobia is defined as an irrational dread, terror or | | | | may never get to see the view from the top of |
| fear that occurs during a relatively benign situation. | | | | the Eiffel Tower or the Grand Canyon. They may |
| Many people realize their fears are unfounded and | | | | never travel far from home because they are |
| irrational for the situation, but they are not able to | | | | unwilling to get on an airplane. |
| overcome them. | | | | Phobias can be overcome with methods of dealing |
| Some of the common symptoms of phobias | | | | with the underlying fears. The way you've |
| include: | | | | responded to something in the past doesn't have |
| - Racing heartrate | | | | to be the way you do so now or in the future. |
| - Shortness of breath | | | | If you're dealing with an irrational fear and just are |
| - Sweaty hands | | | | not able to overcome it, it would be wise to |
| - The urge to flee | | | | discuss it with your doctor or another qualified |
| If left unchecked, a phobia can gradually get | | | | medical professional. They can offer some insight |
| worse, resulting in more serious problems like | | | | into the causes and offer the most effective |
| anxiety disorders, panic attacks and extreme | | | | treatment, given your particular situation. |