We offer therapies for fears and phobias in Southend-on-Sea, Essex at The Body Matters. Therapy for these is available from our clinic based in Leigh-on-Sea, in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. We also offer telephone & online support. Call us on 01702 714968 for more information.
What is fear?
Fear is an emotion that all of us will have felt, it is a natural response when our survival is threatened. If our ancestors had never felt this emotion, it is extremely unlikely we would be alive today! However, fear can become a problem. For example, when we have an unpleasant or severe fear response in a situation where many people feel no concern at all. Here, the fear response does nothing to aid our survival but causes us embarrassment and distress.
What are phobias?
Phobias are intense, persistent fears that trigger extreme anxiety and avoidance behaviours. They often centre around specific objects, situations, or activities, surpassing normal apprehension. Common phobias include heights (acrophobia), enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), or animals. These fears can disrupt daily life, leading to panic attacks, rapid heart rate, sweating, and a compelling need to evade the feared stimuli. Phobias usually develop from traumatic experiences, learned behaviours, or genetic predispositions. Despite being irrational, they profoundly impact individuals' lives, requiring targeted therapies to help manage and overcome their debilitating effects.
Why do we feel fear?
In some ways our brains operate along similar lines to our ancient ancestors, spotting patterns that need an immediate response, without giving the conscious mind time to analyse the pros and cons of acting. This almost-instant spotting of a potentially dangerous situation is something that can at times keep us alive. The problem is that this pattern-spotting part of the human brain can bring on strong and immediate reactions when they are not needed. If a situation would be unbearable for you to deal with calmly even if you were offered a million pounds, it is likely that you have a phobia.
How do fears and phobias affect daily life?
They can significantly impact mental health, leading to anxiety, panic attacks, avoidance of specific situations, and hindering normal routines or social interactions. Take, for example, someone with a fear of spiders. The slight movement of a spider on the edge of this person’s sight might elicit a response in which their heart is beating fast, their hands are clammy, their throat dry, and so on. What is happening is that this person’s brain is spotting something that has been spotted before, bringing on the same (unpleasant) responses. A person is unlikely to be able to talk themselves down from this level of agitation.
What are the most common types of fears and phobias?
Some of the most common types of fears and phobias include:
- Fear of flying
- Fear of heights
- Fear of open or confined spaces
- Fear of dentists and doctors
- Fear of needles
- Fear of spiders
- Fear of water
What therapies are available for fears and phobias?
Therapies for fears and phobias at The Body Matters include BrainWorking Recursive Therapy®, which works very effectively with fears, phobias, and anxiety. With this method, a person can change how they currently feel about something to how they would like to feel, which could simply be a ‘calm and relaxed’ feeling. Just one or two sessions are often all that is needed. Other therapies we offer include, hypnotherapy for fears & phobias and meditation for fears & phobias in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
Can fears and phobias return after treatment?
After successful treatment, fears and phobias might resurface, especially during stressful or triggering situations. Though therapy equips individuals with coping mechanisms, relapses can occur due to various factors, like new stressors or reminders of the phobia. However, with continued practice of coping strategies learned in therapy, relapses can often be managed effectively. Ongoing support, self-awareness, and revisiting learned techniques help individuals navigate potential resurgences, enabling them to regain control and mitigate the impact of these fears, fostering a more resilient approach to handling their phobias.
Remote Consultations Available
We continue to use remote consultations to provide our services without physical interaction, if required, by shifting some appointments to video consultations.
Read our Remote Consultations page for more information.
Call 01702 714968 for more information about therapies for fears and phobias in Southend-on-Sea & Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, and find out more about how The Body Matters can help you.
