Is It Possible to Overcome a Phobia?

Many people have a basic idea of what a phobia is—an extreme fear of something specific. However, it’s actually more than that. A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. While it’s characterized by an extreme irrational fear of a certain object, activity, or situation, it also significantly impacts a person’s quality of life.

Everyone gets scared. We all have things we don’t like, and maybe certain things we avoid. Maybe you stay away from rodents, spiders, or snakes. A person with a phobia can feel so frightened by those things that they’ll either go to great lengths to avoid them or push through great anxiety whenever they are present.

Phobias cause fear that is disproportionate to any real danger. Depending on what the phobia is, it can cause a person to feel constantly on edge.

Thankfully, it’s possible to overcome a phobia with the right support and treatment.

It Starts With Awareness

The first step to overcoming a phobia is to understand what it is and acknowledge the impact it’s having on your life.

Start by recognizing the specific thing(s) causing you such distress. You might already know if it’s something you tend to avoid at all costs. However, as stated above, some people try to “push through” their phobias, even if it causes great anxiety to do so.

Pay attention to how your mind and body respond when you’re face-to-face with your fear. People have different symptoms, but some of the most common reactions are sweating, a racing heart, and trembling.

When you recognize what your phobia is and how you naturally react to it, you’re putting yourself in a position to be able to challenge and eventually reframe your thoughts. Anxiety tends to get worse when we’re faced with the unknown. Giving your fear a name and understanding how it affects you helps to take away some of that mystery.

Lean on Your Support System

While it might feel overwhelming or even a bit embarrassing to talk about your phobia, you don’t have to deal with it alone.

Talk to friends, family members, or even members of a support group about your struggles. Let them know what you’re doing to help yourself and how you’re trying to overcome your fear. The more people you have in your corner to encourage you and back you up, the better. Sometimes, a listening ear can make a big difference.

Seek Professional Help

Perhaps the best thing you can do to overcome a phobia is to work with a therapist. There are different types of therapies that can help with phobias, but one of the most effective is exposure therapy. It allows you to take manageable steps toward overcoming your fear. You’ll allow yourself to feel the fear without suppressing your emotions, all while remaining in a safe space.

Exposure therapy, along with relaxation techniques, can eventually help you realize you’re stronger than the thing causing so much fear. It will become easier to manage your anxiety along the way. You should celebrate your progress along the way and use it as motivation to keep going.

Most importantly, be patient and compassionate with yourself. Even if you experience setbacks along the way, keep moving forward. Overcoming these deeply-rooted fears can take time and a lot of effort, but you’re not alone as you go on this journey. Consistency is important. As long as you keep practicing the techniques learned in therapy, you’re likely to see continued forward progress.

If you’re interested in learning more about how therapy can help you work through your phobia, We’re here to help. Contact our office for more information or to set up a consultation soon.