A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving excessive and persistent fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an immediate anxiety response.
Most specific phobias fall into one of four major categories:
- Fears of the natural environment
- Fears related to animals
- Fear related to medical treatments or issues
- Fears related to specific situations
Phobia of the Day: Melanophobia is an unhealthy fear of the color black or dark colors.
Melanophobia is an unhealthy fear of the color black or dark colors. In many people, the fear lies with what these sometimes colors represent: negativity, loneliness, hopelessness, and more. But you don’t have to let this fear control your life. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn about treatment options. Having a phobia is nothing to be embarrassed about. Exposure therapy and other treatments help many people feel better. Thinking of the color black and what it represents may trigger physical responses and certain changes in behavior:
- Anxiety disorders.
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating.
- Depression.
- Nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
- Headache.
SELF-CARE TIPS FOR PHOBIAS THAT BRING ON ANXIETY
- Talk to someone you trust.
- Learn to manage panic and anxiety.
- Look into joining a support group.
- Use self-help resources.
- Take a course for your specific phobia.
By Arnold Charles
SOURCE: The South African
