Objectives

1) Study how a phobia is born Or how a phobia begins in

the mind of a subject.
2) Learn the classification of any phobia that exist in the
mind of any subject.
3) To find any phobias treatment.
Theoretical framework
Introduction

What is a Phobia?

a phobia is an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. If you have

a phobia, you may experience a deep sense of dread or panic when you
encounter the source of your fear. The fear can be of a certain place, situation,
or object. Unlike general anxiety disorders, a phobia is usually connected to
something specific. The impact of a phobia can range from annoying to
severely disabling. People with phobias often realize their fear is irrational, but
theyre unable to do anything about it. Such fears can interfere with your work,
school, and personal relationships.

An estimated 19 million people around the world have a phobia that causes
difficulty in some area of their lives. Seek the help of your doctor if you have a
fear that prevents you from leading a normal life.
What Causes Phobias?

Genetic and environmental factors can cause phobias. Children who have a
close relative with an anxiety disorder are at risk for developing a phobia.
Distressing events such as nearly drowning can bring on a phobia. Exposure to
confined spaces, extreme heights, and animal or insect bites can all be sources
of phobias.People with ongoing medical conditions or health concerns often
have phobias. There is a high incidence of people developing phobias after
traumatic brain injuries. Substance abuse and depression are also connected
to phobias.

Who Is at Risk for Phobias?

Risk Factors:Those with a genetic predisposition to anxiety may be at a high

risk for developing phobias. Age, socioeconomic status, and gender only seem
to be risk factors for certain phobias. For example, women are more likely to
have animal phobias. Childrens or people with a low socioeconomic status are
more likely have social phobias. Men make up the majority of those with
dentist and doctor phobias.

Medication

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help calm both emotional

and physical reactions to fear. Often, the combination of medication and
professional therapy makes the biggest difference.

If you have a phobia, its critical that you seek treatment. Overcoming phobias
can be difficult, but theres hope. With the right treatment, you can learn to
manage your fears and lead a productive, fulfilling life.
Common Phobias

Claustrophobia

is the fear of being enclosed in a small space or room and having no escape. It
can be triggered by many situations or stimuli, including elevators crowded to
capacity, windowless rooms, and even tight-necked clothing. It is typically
classified as an anxiety disorder, which often results in panic attacks. The onset
of claustrophobia has been attributed to many factors, including a reduction
in the size of the amygdala, classical conditioning, or a genetic
predisposition to fear small spaces.
One study indicates that anywhere from 57% of the world population is
affected by severe claustrophobia, but only a small percentage of these people
receive some kind of treatment for the disorder. The
term claustrophobia comes from Latin claustrum "a shut in place" and
Greek , phbos, "fear".

Symptoms

Claustrophobia is typically thought to have two key symptoms: fear of

restriction and fear of suffocation. A typical claustrophobic will fear restriction
in at least one, if not several, of the following areas: small rooms, locked
rooms, cars, airplanes, trains, tunnels, underwater caves,
cellars, elevators and caves. Additionally, the fear of restriction can cause
some claustrophobia to fear trivial matters such as sitting in a haircutter's chair
or waiting in line at a grocery store simply out of a fear of confinement to a
single space. Another possible site for claustrophobic attacks is a dentist's
chair, particularly during dental surgery; in that scenario, the fear is not of pain,
but of being confined.
Often, when confined to an area, claustrophobics begin to fear suffocation,
believing that there may be a lack of air in the area to which they are confined.

Causes of Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia can develop after a traumatic childhood experience (such as

being trapped in a small space during a childhood game), or from another
unpleasant experience later on in life involving confined spaces (such as being
stuck in an elevator). When an individual experiences such an event, it can
often trigger a frightening panic attack; this response then becomes
programmed in the brain, establishing an association between being in a tight
space and feeling anxious or out-of-control. As a result, the person often
develops claustrophobia.

Although claustrophobia can cause panic attacks, it is not the same disorder.
According to Mark Powers, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at
Southern Methodist University and Co-Director of the Dallas CBT Center,
"Claustrophobia is a specific phobia and not a type of panic disorder. The
primary specific threat forecasts for claustrophobia are that either the person
will be trapped or run our of air."
Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

A cognitive behavioral therapist will teach you how to control and alter
negative thoughts that arise from situations that trigger your claustrophobia.
By learning to change your thoughts, you can learn to change your reaction to
these situations.
Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT)

REBT is an action-oriented form of CBT that focuses on the present. REBT

addresses unhealthy attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. It uses a technique
called "disputing" to help people develop realistic and healthy beliefs.

Relaxation and visualization

Therapists will offer different relaxation and visualization techniques to use

when youre in a claustrophobic situation. Techniques may include exercises
like counting down from 10 or picturing a safe space. These techniques may
help calm your nerves and ease your panic.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and phobias. In

this therapy, youll be placed in a non-dangerous situation that triggers your
claustrophobia in order to confront and overcome your fear. The idea is that
the more youre exposed to what scares you, the less youll fear it.
Astraphobia

Also known as astrapophobia, brontophobia, keraunophobia, or

tonitrophobia, or nicaduranaphobia, is an abnormal fear of thunder and
lightning, a type of specific phobia. It is a treatable phobia that both humans
and animals can develop. The term astraphobia words (astrape;
lightning) and

Causes

The major cause known to develop astraphobia in people are a traumatic

experience related with thunderstorms, rain and lightning. Other factors that
contribute in developing this phobia is the in-built personality traits of the
person inclined towards fear and anxiety.

Symptoms

The common symptoms :

Intense and constant fear during thunder, rainstorm and lightning.Distressed
and anxious whenever any thunderstorm is anticipated but not really
occurring.Realization that the fear is irrelevant and excessive (except in
children) Increased alertness and checking weather forecasts before going
anywhere outside Trying to avoid the weather by any means such as hiding in
a closet, covering with blankets or not leaving the house at all Clingy behavior
towards a loved one and guardians (only in children)Panic attacks
accompanied by physical signs such as trembling, abdominal pain, trouble in
breathing, heart palpitation, chest pain, frequent urination, numbness around
limbs, feeling of being out of control, nausea and sweating.
Treatment

Exposure Therapy to Treat Astraphobia or Fear of Thunder and Lightning

The main purpose of the expousure therapy for treating astraphobia or fear of
thunder and lightning is to take out completely the fear from a person and to
study individual's reaction to fear. A psychological therapist tries to face the
person suffering from astraphobia or fear of thunder and lightning to confront
with a real thunderstorm if it is possible to do so. If it is not possible for a
therapist to face a person with astraphobia to confront a thunderstorm in the
open air, then the therapist can play a video or audio of a thunderstorm.
After playing the audio or video of a real thunderstorm, therapist measures
the level of fear in his client with astraphobia or fear of thunder and lightning
and how does it occur in client. By exposing the patient several times to his
fear, the therapist tries to lower the amount of fear in client by telling him to
use relaxation techniques while being exposed to the thunderstorm.
Common relaxation techniques used in the exposure therapy are breathing
exercises, mental visualization, and self-talk. All of the before mentioned
relaxation techniques calm down the mind during a stressful situation.

Another Way to Treat Astraphobia or Fear of Thunder and Lightning is

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

While the exposure therapy gives great results in treating patients with
astraphobia or fear of thunder and lightning, it should not be practiced without
practicing together with it the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT.
Exposure therapy is mainly focused on teaching the patient how to control its
fear and panic, CBT for treating astraphobia or fear of thunder and lightning is
focused on changing the patient's thoughts about its fear associated with
thunderstorms
Nyctophobia

Is a phobia characterized by a severe fear of the dark. It is triggered by the

brains disfigured perception of what would, or could, happen when in a dark
environment. It can also be temporarily triggered if the mind is unsteady or
scared about recent events or ideas, or a partaking in content the brain
considers a threat (examples could include indulging in horror content,
witnessing vulgar actions, or having linked dark environments to prior events
or ideas that disturb the mind).
Despite its pervasive nature, there has been a lack of etiological research on
the subject. Nyctophobia is generally observed in children but, according to J.
Adrian Williams article titled, "Indirect Hypnotic Therapy of Nyctophobia: A
Case Report", many clinics with pediatric patients have a great chance of
having adults who have nyctophobia.

Causes

. A Traumatic Experience
Any kind of trauma or distressing event related with darkness can be a strong
reason for people, especially children to develop nyctophobia. For instance, if
a child has been regularly punished by locking in a dark room, then there are
maximum chances that he/she develops fear of darkness. Similarly, other
traumatic incidents that occurred during nighttime such as abuse and violence,
getting lost or accidents may also cause nyctophobia. Such experience instills
bad memories and thoughts about how night and darkness are dangerous.

Previous Mental Health Weakness

Any kind of persistent mental health issues can also trigger the phobia in a
person. If a person has been suffering through different types of depression
previously, it can weaken the energy of his/her mind. Even a small occurrence
such as sudden blackout or being alone in a dark room can make the person
nyctophobic.

Evolutionary Factors
Nyctophobia has also been associated with the evolution of mankind. In early
periods, people used to go for hunting at nighttime and face wild beasts.
Darkness has been considered as residence of evil, monsters and paranormal
beings. This is the very reason of darkness being the main theme of horror
movies and Halloween. Thus, nyctophobia can also be resultant of a learnt
behavior that has been given by the human evolution itself.

Symptoms:

In general, symptoms of nyctophobia include:

Becoming nervous in any darkened environment.

Sleeping with a nightlight.

Being reluctant to go out at night.

Experiencing physiological symptoms including, an increased heart rate,

sweating, visible shaking and even feeling ill (nausea, headaches, and
diarrhea are common) when forced to spend time in the dark.

Symptoms of more severe cases of nyctophobia include:

Attempting to run away from dark rooms.

Compulsively staying indoors at night.

Becoming angry or defensive if anyone tries to encourage you to spend time
in the dark.

Treatment:

Exposure to the dark in small, incremental, non-threatening doses in a process

called desensitization.

One-on-one talk therapy, family therapy or group therapy.

Learning relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.

Anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication.

Glossophobia

Glossophobia or speech anxiety is the fear of public speaking or of speaking in

general. The word glossophobia comes from the Greek glssa,
meaning tongue, and phobos, fear or dread. Many people only have
this fear, while others may also have social phobia or social anxiety disorder.

Symptoms

intense anxiety prior to, or simply at the thought of having to verbally

communicate with any group,avoidance of events which focus the group's
attention on individuals in attendance,physical distress, nausea, or feelings of
panicin such circumstances.

Causes

Glossophobia may also develop if one has been gradually avoiding speaking in
public over a long time and the very idea of doing so causes the individual so
much anxiety and nervousness as to ultimately lead to the disorder. If a
speaker suffers from certain psychological states such as low self esteem,
seeking complete approval, believing in perfection, or anticipating failure, such
mental conditions may also cause episodes of Glossophobia.
Solution

Various treatment options are available to treat glossophobia. Certain drugs

such as beta blockers may be used to help people relax before speaking in
public. Complementary therapies such as hypnosis, meditation or
psychotherapy can be quite beneficial in helping you to overcome
glossophobia.
Taking public speaking classes such as Toastmasters International or
Association of Speakers Club will be able to alleviate your fears of speaking in
front of others and improve public speaking skills. Counseling or
psychotherapy may also help you to address the root of the problem and learn
effective techniques to deal with this condition.
Agorafobia

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder involving anxiety and intense fear of any

situation where escape may be difficult, or where help may not be available. It
often involves a fear of crowds, bridges or of being outside alone.

Symptoms

Typical agoraphobia symptoms include fear of:

Leaving home alone.
Crowds or waiting in line.
Enclosed spaces, such as movie theaters, elevators or small stores.
Open spaces, such as parking lots, bridges or malls
Using public transportation, such as a bus, plane or train
Fear or anxiety almost always results from exposure to the situation.
Your fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger of the situation.
You avoid the situation, you need a companion to go with you, or you endure
the situation but are extremely distressed.
You experience significant distress or problems with social situations, work or
other areas in your life because of the fear, anxiety or avoidance.Your phobia
and avoidance usually lasts six months or longer.
Causes

including health conditions and genetics temperament, environmental stress

and learning experiences may all play a role in the development of
agoraphobia.

Solution

Lets have a look at the reasoning here of any secure zone. This makes
reference to any where in which the person believes that anxiety attacks do
not happen at least it can be someplace in which you are capable of keep on
top of any sort of minimal emotions of nervousness. The security felt in such a
place may possibly make a person suffering from agoraphobia commonly
spend almost all of their time within this specific spot.
Acrophobia

Known by a number of names (Acrophobia, Allodoxaphobia, and Fear of

Heights) this problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. This
surprisingly common phobia causes countless people needless distress.
Acrophobia is an extreme or irrational fear of heights. Acrophobia can cause
panic attacks and keep the person from loved ones and business associates.
Although everyone experiences acrophobia in their own way and may have
different symptoms, typical symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid
breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread.

Acrophobia can be dangerous, as in situations where the person has a panic

attack in a high place and becomes too agitated to get themselves down safely.
Some acrophobics also suffer from urges to throw themselves off high places,
despite not being suicidal.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder in which someone has an intense and irrational

fear of certain objects or situations. As an introduction to fear, anxiety, and
phobias, see the linked sections of this website.

Causes of Acrophobia

The most widely accepted explanation is that acrophobia stems from the
natural fear of falling and being injured or killed. A phobia occurs when fear is
taken to an extreme, due possibly to unintentional learning, generalization of
the fear response, or the result of a traumatic experience. Like other fears and
phobias, acrophobia is created by the unconscious mind as a protective
mechanism. At some point in your past, there was likely an event linking
heights or high levels and emotional trauma. Your mind then seeks to protect
the body from further trauma in the future and elicits an extreme fear of the
situation, in this case the fear of heights.

Acrophobia can be counter-productive in normal everyday life, with some

sufferers being afraid to go up a flight of stairs or a ladder, or to stand on a
chair, table, (etc.). The actual phobia manifests itself in different ways. Some
sufferers experience it almost all the time, others just in response to direct
stimuli. Everyone has their own unique formula for when and how to feel
afraid and anxious.

Treatment of Acrophobia
Acrophobia can be treated in similar ways to other phobic and anxiety
disorders, with a range of treatments including reality therapy and cognitive
behavior therapy and the use of anti-anxiety medication. Effective treatment
is based on the assumption that acrophobia is a learned response to being in
certain situations. This learned response is typically powerful, uncomfortable,
embarrassing, inconvenient, and debilitating at times. And just as you can
learn to have a particular response you can un-learn it.

Therapists can help people who have acrophobia to develop coping skills to
manage their fear and anxiety. This involves understanding and adjusting
thoughts and beliefs that help create the anxiety, learning and practicing
specific behavioral social skills to increase confidence, and then slowly and
gradually practicing these skills in real situations.

Cognitive behavior therapy is an approach where the person is encouraged to

confront and change the specific thoughts and attitudes that lead to feelings
of fear. Systematic desensitization, which is a type of cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT), is a preferred behavioral technique used to treat acrophobia
and other phobias. It based upon having the person relax, then imagine the
components of the phobia, working from the least fearful to the most fearful.
Gradual exposure to real life phobias has also been used with success to help
people overcome their fears. According to the National Institute of Mental
Health, about 75% of people with specific phobias overcome their fears
through cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Relaxation and stress relief techniques are frequently an accompaniment to

other therapeutic approaches. Relaxation techniques may include things like
specific ways of breathing, muscle relaxation training, guided mental imagery,
or soothing self-talk.
Glossary:
Phobia: A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of
something that poses little or no real danger.
Risk: Is a measure of the extent of damage in the face of a dangerous situation.
The risk is measured assuming a certain vulnerability to each type of hazard.
Medication: A drug is one or more drugs integrated in a pharmaceutical form,
presented for sale and for industrial or clinical use, and intended for use in
persons or animals.
Claustrophobia: is the fear of being enclosed in a small space or room and
having no escape.
Astraphobia: Also known as astrapophobia, brontophobia, keraunophobia, or
tonitrophobia, or nicaduranaphobia, is an abnormal fear of thunder and
lightning.
Glossophobia: is the fear of public speaking or of speaking in general.
Agoraphobia: Is an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in
situations where the person perceives the environment to be unsafe with no
easy way to get away.
Acrophobia: It is an abnormal and persistent fear of heights.
Nyctophobia: is a phobia characterized by a severe fear of the dark. It is
triggered by the brains disfigured perception of what would, or could, happen
when in a dark environment.
Causes: Fact, phenomenon, situation or attitude that produces or causes an
action.
Symptoms: Is the subjective reference that gives a patient of the perception
that recognizes as anomalous or caused by a disease state or disease.
Results: to terminate or end in a specified manner or thing.
Apiphobia: a fear of bees; also called melissaphobia.
Haemophobia:Is a fear of blood.
Erythrophobia:an abnormal fear of the color red.
Bromidrosiphobia:Moribid fear of giving a bad odor from the body.
Ailurophobia: Is a fear of looking cats.
Paedophobia: Is a fear of looking some childrens.
Cheimaphobia: is a fear of feels cold.
Cyberphobia: Is a fear of using computers.
Scotophobia: Is a fear to stay in darkness alote of time.
Thanatophobia: This fear is of the death.
Mysophobia: Is a fearto stay in a house dirty.
Cynophobia: Is a fear to stay near of the dogs.
Pharmacophobia: This fear is about the drugs.
Conclusions
1) The first conclusion will be that a phobia is an irrational and excessive
fear of an object or situation
2) The second conclusions is that we now the solution of a glosophobia and
now what glosophobia mean( is the fear of public speaking or of
speaking in general)
3) The third conclusion is Thath any phobia borns with a bad dream or a
bad moment that we live and makes a Marc in our life
4) We learn the way the form that we can solve a phobia
5) And at the final in conclusion in the world exist a lot of different phobias
that can affect Ali development.
Annexes
Annexe # 1: Claustrophobia

Annexe # 2: Astraphobia

Annexe # 3: Nyctophobia
Annexe # 4: Glossophobia

Annexe # 5: Agorafobia

Annexe # 6: Acrophobia
Bibliography

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14. Psicologia Anormal Irvin G. Sarason.SEPTIMA EDICION