You Don’t Have to Manage A Phobia Alone
The experiences associated with a phobia can be overwhelming and isolating, but you don’t have to face them alone.
At Thriving Center of Psychology in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, our experienced medical team understands how one or more phobias can interfere with your life experience and self-confidence. We offer customized plans that use state-of-the-art treatments that can help you regain control over your phobias.
Understanding the basics of a phobia
A phobia involves a deep-seated fear or anxiety relating to a place, situation, or object. There is no limit to what can trigger anxieties and dread relating to a phobia, but some of the most common phobias include:
- Claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces)
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
- Acrophobia (fear of heights)
- Aviophobia (fear of flying)
- Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces)
You may also be afraid of specific situations surrounding medical care (hemophobia) or dental work (dentophobia).
Many phobias begin due to a negative experience in the past. You may also develop a phobia because of learned behaviors from your parents or other people in your life. In some cases, a phobia may be genetically based or relate to changes in the way your brain functions.
When to consider treatment for a phobia
Many people live with a phobia for years without relief because they don’t realize help is available. At Thriving Center of Psychology, we recommend seeking an evaluation for a phobia if the symptoms you experience negatively impact your quality of life.
For instance, if you have physical symptoms that are triggered by a person, place, or thing, you should consider treatment. Negative side effects of a phobia can include:
- Panic
- Rapid heart rate
- Breathing difficulties
- Chest pain and tightness
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Uncontrollable shaking or trembling
These issues may have a significant impact on your physical health, personal life, and ability to work. For many people, a phobia can limit enjoyment of certain activities or life in general, which can lead to isolation, depression, and other mental health issues.
Yes, you can get help for a phobia
At Thriving Center of Psychology, our specialists treat phobias by creating customized virtual-reality videos.
These videos focus on stimulating realistic situations that may trigger your phobic anxieties. However, in the controlled environment, your provider works closely with you to track physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, to help you become desensitized to the experience.
In addition to the effective virtual-reality videos, we offer cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy (talk therapy).
You may also be a candidate for neurofeedback therapy using EEG biofeedback or electroencephalographic technology. This noninvasive treatment can help improve a wide range of mental health conditions and can also compliment your other phobia therapies.
If you need assistance in managing a phobia, we can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Thriving Center of Psychology today. We also offer online virtual therapy sessions for your convenience.
Psychoanalysis for Phobias
There are about 19 million Americans with one or more phobias. While things like spiders, flying, and small spaces spring to mind when talking about phobias, you can develop a phobia around almost anything.
Signs of Insecure-Disorganized Attachment in a Relationship
Attachment styles tell us about the way we form bonds and maintain relationships. A disorganized attachment style can create a confusing and unpredictable relationship dynamic. This type of insecure attachment style is complex and challenging for both the disorganized attacher and their partner.
Signs of Insecure-Resistant Attachment in a Relationship
Having an insecure attachment style can make it difficult to build trusting and long-lasting relationships. Individuals with an insecure-resistant attachment crave closeness but struggle to feel secure with their partner.
Signs of Insecure-Avoidant Attachment in a Relationship
Attachment theory tells us that the relationships we form in our early years help shape those we have as adults. Insecure-avoidant attachment is one of three insecure attachment styles.