Phobias can be introduced into life through various means, such as through a past traumatic event, or through observing someone else’s reaction. For example, if a person witnessed a friend nearly drowning, they may develop a phobia of water. Conversely, a person can develop a phobia by simply associating a certain object or situation with fear, even if no actual harm was experienced. The idea of the ‘fight or flight’ response is what ultimately creates phobias. When the brain perceives a threatening stimulus, it triggers the release of adrenaline, and the body begins to prepare for action. However, if this response is repeatedly triggered, it can become overstimulated, leading to the development of a phobia.

How can phobias be managed?

There are various methods for managing fear and phobias, with cognitive-behavioral therapy being the most common. This therapy helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to the phobic stimulus. Exposure therapy is also a common treatment, where the individual gradually faces their fear in a controlled environment, allowing their brain to become accustomed to the stimulus. Other methods may include hypnotherapy, medication, and relaxation techniques. It is important for those affected by phobias to seek professional help, as it can severely impact their daily life. It is also important to understand that phobias are a common mental illness, and help is available for those who need it.

In conclusion, phobias are a common mental illness that can greatly impact a person’s daily life. Understanding the difference between everyday fear and a phobia, as well as how phobias can develop, is important in recognizing and seeking help for those affected. While phobias can be debilitating, there are various methods of treatment available, allowing individuals the opportunity to manage and overcome their fears.

Differentiating Anxiety and Phobias: Levels, Statistics, and Treatment

Anxiety and phobias are quite common among people, mainly because they stem from the amygdala, a part of the brain where an idea is linked to an emotional response. Therefore, when an individual perceives something that caused fear previously or an idea of it, the brain reacts with the fight-or-flight response. As a result, a phobia may develop, which is surprisingly widespread. A study shows that at least 12.5% of Americans are expected to experience a phobia at any point in their life. Social phobia, also known as social anxiety, is one of the two common phobias, along with specific phobia. People with specific phobia or social phobia typically avoid the thing or situation that causes fear, even at extreme lengths. Meanwhile, agoraphobia, which translates as "fear of the marketplace," is less common. People with agoraphobia dread socializing, large spaces, closed areas, and being away from their homes. However, only 1.4% of Americans are expected to experience it in their lifetime, which the DSM-5 classifies as a high-tier anxiety disorder.

Treatment for agoraphobia is different from treating phobias. For social or specific phobias, which affects about 30% of US adults at some point, medical professionals often seek medication and use behavioral or cognitive therapy. In therapy, discussing the object and experience is common to gain a better understanding of the patient, the object, and the correlation between the two. The aim is to understand the origin of the fear and practice controlling emotional reactions to it. Exposure therapy, a gradual progression of exposure to the source of fear, is sometimes used to monitor the individual's reactions. This can range from thinking about the object to viewing pictures or videos, and eventually, being in an area where the source of fear may be present, all in an effort to help the patient resume normal life without experiencing severe, uncontrollable distress and hindrance to daily activities.

In conclusion, fear and phobia are genuine experiences that originate from fear in some way or an interaction based on an earlier point in life that can manifest in various ways. Phobias involve a "phobic stimulus" and a typically uncontrollable and involuntary response to it. While these reactions may seem overexaggerated or disproportionate, they are not voluntary. Since these reactions can be intense, they can interrupt the lives of those experiencing them. However, people can seek psychiatrists or other trusted medical professionals to aid them in discovering the root of their fears and treating them with therapy. Eventually, the person can return to normal daily activities without feeling intense distress.

References:

EA;, O. A. P. (2007, September). Social learning of fear. Nature neuroscience.

Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17726475/.

Garcia, R. (2017, August 16). Neurobiology of fear and specific phobias. Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). Retrieved November 7, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580526/.

HC;, S. O. P. (2002). Fear memory and the amygdala: Insights from a molecular perspective. Cell and tissue research. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12457225/.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2016, October 19). Specific phobias. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved November 7, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/specific-phobias/symptoms-causes/syc-20355156.

Task: Rewrite the following text using better words and natural language to make it unique and in English.

In 2006, M. E. P. Seligman conducted a study on phobias and preparedness, which appeared in Behavior Therapy. The study is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789471800643 and can be retrieved as of November 8, 2021.

The National Institute of Mental Health provides valuable information on specific phobia, and the website can be accessed at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/specific-phobia#part_2639. The NIMH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Psychology 2E: Openstax textbook also covers anxiety disorders, including phobias, as described in chapter 15.4, which can be accessed at https://cnx.org/contents/BqulZZQy@6.14:Ec9OTMfJ@4/15-4-Anxiety-Disorders. This information was retrieved on November 5, 2021.