A phobic disorder is marked by a persistent and irrational fear of an object or situation that presents no realistic danger. Although mild phobias are common, people are said to have a phobic disorder when their fears seriously interfere with everyday functioning. A teacher that I had in high school actually had a severe phobic disorder of spiders. We could not decorate the classroom with spiders for Halloween or wear anything with spiders on it. Her phobia was so severe that when she saw a spider-man folder she actually started to experience feelings of anxiety. She in fact had to attend therapy in order to deal with her anxiety.
This is a discussion, not a comment. Sorry I can't make discussions for some reason.
ReplyDeletePHOBIAS
There are many different types of phobias. Some are scared of being alone, some are scared of bridges, some are afraid of dolls and others are even scared of bald people (just to name a few). I myself have an irrational fear, or phobia. I am exremely afriad of snakes and spiders. I was thinking about exposure therapy and the idea of it extremely scares me. If I were in a room with even one, nevermind multiple, snakes, I think that I would die. Even when I go to zoos, I run away for dear life and those are locked up not inside a room with me. Though this could be effective and could help me to get rid of this fear, I would most definitely deny this treatment. The other night I woke up and there was a tiny spider on the wall next to me. I screamed, woke up my roommate and we both ran to our RA to kill it at 2 in the morning. I couldn't stand one crawling all over my body regardless of whether or not it would help me face my fears. I avoid my fears altogether, though I should learn to "fight" rather than use "flight" so often.
-Desiree'