What is it like to have a phobia?
I like to think that I'm fairly free of fears, except ones that could actually kill me: i.e. being at a great height is fine, but if I slip up there I'll be breathing fast and sweaty palmed, and being under water is ok, but if I feel trapped or restrained that'll push the panic buttons.
When I have noticed my irrational fear of height start to get stronger I have made an effort of will to challenge myself to climb more to overcome that.
Strong phobias of things like small animals or social situations are therefore puzzling to me. I do not understand why people's pride wouldn't force them to make the effort to overcome an irrational phobia of mice, for example.
What's it like, phobic Redditors, and why should I sympathise with you rather than treating phobias like chronic procrastination or other failures of willpower?
Posted Feb 21, 2011, 3:24 AM UTC
The fear that comes with a phobia isn't just an annoyance or a natural reaction to a real fear required situation. That's just it, with regard to phobias. It is irrational fear. But the fear that you feel is very real and you experience biological reactions to the situation, item, etc. Its as if the fight or flight mechanism has been cranked into overdrive, but when there is nothing to fight or flee from your body doesn't know what to make of the information. Its a weird place to be when you rationally know you're reacting to something that isn't normal, but your body is still reacting as if you are going to die. No fun at all.
But can't this reaction be trained out of you? Can't the irrational fear be weakened into something controllable through repeated exposure and determination?
Yes, and many people seek therapy in an effort to work this out, but its very hard to do on your own. Not impossible, but most often needs the help of someone trained in this area. What you're referring to is called Habituation Therapy. When you're already irrationally fearful of -insert thing- its very hard to go it alone without someone there guiding you and being a life-line of sorts.