You may feel powerless to stop your reaction to a specific phobia—a strong, irrational fear of an object or situation that poses little real danger. Your extreme fear could be of heights, insects, animals, elevators, flying or dental procedures.
The horrific feelings your phobia creates may make you avoid situations or objects that trigger symptoms, potentially harming your relationships, work, health, and education in the long run. But your fears don’t have to control your life. We can help you regain control.
If you have a specific phobia, you know it isn’t any regular fear. See if you recognize these signs:
So far, there is no clear answer to this question, but there are theories. Some scientists believe that you innately fear certain objects or situations that could be potentially fatal (like storms or snakes). Other scientists believe that you learn phobias from your environment. So, if you get stuck in an elevator for a period of time, you could develop a phobia afterward. You also may be more likely to develop phobias if they run in your family.
Learn to overcome your fears with a specific cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed for phobias, guided by our skilled therapists at Austin Anxiety and Trauma Specialists. This treatment is based on the idea that your thoughts about the situation or object influence your feelings and behaviors. Your thoughts tell you that the feared object is inherently dangerous. These beliefs trigger fear, which leads you to avoid the object. Over the course of CBT therapy, you’ll learn how to change this thought pattern. Eventually, you’ll be able to face your former phobia without fear.
Take a powerful step towards relief by booking your first session with us. In our first session, we’ll discuss your fears, history, and goals to create a customized treatment plan that can best enable your success.
It can get better. We can help.
