Another word for unnecessary or unwarranted
In most cases, they will grow out of this fear as they get older.įor example, the following childhood fears are extremely common and considered normal:Ġ-2 years – Loud noises, strangers, separation from parents, large objects.ģ-6 years – Imaginary things such as ghosts, monsters, the dark, sleeping alone, strange noises.ħ-16 years – More realistic fears such as injury, illness, school performance, death, natural disasters. For example, many young children are afraid of the dark and may need a nightlight to sleep. Many childhood fears are natural and tend to develop at specific ages. Steering clear of the park because you might see a dogįeeling a little queasy when getting a shot or when your blood is being drawnĪvoiding necessary medical treatments or doctor’s checkups because you’re terrified of needles Getting nervous when you see a pit bull or a Rottweiler Turning down a great job because it’s on the 10th floor of the office building
Not going to your best friend’s island wedding because you’d have to fly thereĮxperiencing butterflies when peering down from the top of a skyscraper or climbing a tall ladder The difference between normal fear and a phobiaįeeling anxious when flying through turbulence or taking off during a storm For example, it is only natural to be afraid of a snarling Doberman, but it is irrational to be terrified of a friendly poodle on a leash, as you might be if you have a dog phobia. But with phobias the threat is nonexistent or greatly exaggerated. With our bodies and minds alert and ready for action, we are able to respond quickly and protect ourselves. Fear serves a protective purpose, activating the automatic “fight-or-flight” response. It is normal and even helpful to experience fear in dangerous situations. No matter how out of control it feels right now, you can overcome your anxiety and fear and start living the life you want. (Having a phobia doesn’t mean you’re crazy!) It also helps to know that phobias are highly treatable. It’s important to know that phobias are common. Understanding your phobia is the first step to overcoming it. If you have a fear of heights, you might drive an extra 20 miles in order to avoid a tall bridge. If you have claustrophobia, for example, you might turn down a lucrative job offer if you have to ride the elevator to get to the office. The experience is so nerve-wracking that you may go to great lengths to avoid it-inconveniencing yourself or even changing your lifestyle. And when you’re actually exposed to the thing you fear, the terror is automatic and overwhelming.
Just thinking about the feared object or situation may make you anxious.
If you have a phobia, you probably realize that your fear is irrational, yet you still can’t control your feelings. While most phobias develop in childhood, they can also develop in later life. However, you can develop phobias of virtually anything. Common phobias and fears include closed-in places, heights, highway driving, flying insects, snakes, and needles. But when fears become so severe that they cause tremendous anxiety and interfere with your normal life, they’re called phobias.Ī phobia is an intense fear of something that, in reality, poses little or no actual danger. What is a phobia?Īlmost everyone has an irrational fear or two-of spiders, for example, or your annual dental checkup.
#ANOTHER WORD FOR UNNECESSARY OR UNWARRANTED HOW TO#
Anxiety Phobias and Irrational Fears Is a phobia keeping you from doing things you’d like to do? Learn how to recognize, treat, and overcome the problem.