Fears and phobias

A phobia is a similar, often intense, feeling of fear but differs from a fear in the severity of the emotional reaction and by the fact that it is caused by a situation or object which doesn't actually pose any real danger. Typically the person with a phobia will avoid the situation or object that causes them these feelings of anxiety. This avoidance, in itself, only serves to strengthen the link between the phobic stimulus and the fear.

Some phobias are specific and the sufferer can easily say what they are afraid of. These often start in childhood and can last a lifetime. These include fear of animals or insects or something in the natural environment like heights, water or thunder and lightening. Fear of blood, injection and injury also come into this group as do phobias relating to particular situations such as driving, enclosed spaces or lifts, tunnels or bridges.

Karen offers treatment for a variety of phobias including (please click on a link for more information):

• Animals
• Blood, injury and injections
• Blushing
• Claustrophobia
• Dental treatment
• Driving
• Exam/ interview nerves
• Food/ eating
• Flying
• Heights
• Performing
• Public speaking
• Shy bladder/ urinating in the presence of others
• Social phobia
• Spiders/ insects
• Vomiting
• Water/ swimming

If your particular fear or phobia isn't mentioned on this page, don't worry, it's just that they can't all be listed. Simply contact Karen for further details.