Phobias
"A phobia is an intense and debilitating fear of a situation or object that would not usually concern other people (e.g. spiders, heights, crowded places, buttons, birds, peanut butter). People with a phobia often go to extreme lengths to avoid the source of the phobia and find their lives restricted as a result. Phobias are closely linked with anxiety and panic attacks and they centre around the human body's natural 'fight or flight' response (the physical changes that prepare the body to fight a danger or run away including, amongst other things, increased heart rate and breathing rate). People who suffer from phobias may know that their feared situation is not actually dangerous, and they may find their fears irrational when they think about them. However, when confronted by the feared situation they are unable to convince themselves that they are not in danger, because the feeling of terror ('fight or flight' response') is so troubling and their thoughts are so full of dread".
(An Introduction to Coping with Phobias by Brenda Hogan)
How can we help you
- Gateway Team -the access point to mental health services
- Poole Book Prescription Scheme
Below are detailed web links to information on phobias:
- www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/How+to/How+to+cope+with+panic+attacks.htm
- www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/complete-publication.shtml
- www.mayoclinic.com/print/phobias/DS00272/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- www.helpguide.org
Directgov