By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Eli_Bliliuos]Eli Bliliuos
If you have a fear of snakes, you are not alone. Millions of people all over the world have the same fear. Seeing or even thinking about a snake may make you start to cry, shake, or have trouble breathing. You may physically need to run away. Your fear may even extend to pictures of snakes or seeing snakes on TV. If your fear is severe enough, you may be afraid to go outside!
If this sounds like you, eliminating your fear may be as simple as taking advantage of hypnosis.
Unlike other phobia treatments, hypnotherapy will not require you to physically get up close and personal with snakes. That can actually be too traumatic for someone with a serious fear. Instead, hypnosis will focus on changing the way that your brain perceives snakes. If you can teach your brain that snakes are not a major threat to you and that they do not require such an extreme reaction, you will be able to eliminate your fear.
Your fear is rooted deep in your subconscious mind. In fact, your subconscious is responsible for most of the things that you do, feel, and say. In order to change your perception of snakes, you have to do it at the subconscious level.
During a fear of snakes hypnotherapy session, your consulting hypnotist may do one of several things:
Focus on a past event that has led to your fear
If, for example, a snake startled you when you went to play outside as a 5-year-old, it could explain your current fear. Hypnosis can tap into your subconscious and train it to understand that a scenario like that wasn't so bad - and that it certainly doesn't justify a serious phobia now. While in hypnosis, a consulting hypnotist can change the subconscious minds perception of an event from the past. Once that is accomplished, the fear will often times disappear.
Focus on the good that snakes can do
A hypnotherapy session may look at the positives - like the fact that snakes can kill rodents, insects, and other pests. The fear can be minimized by simply by learning about the good that snakes can do.
Focus on visualization
Your hypnosis session may include imagining yourself near snakes without being afraid. This can eventually lead to being able to respond in the same way in real life. You may also be told to visualize good things - like hiking through the woods or taking your kids to the zoo - without being terrified that you'll run into a snake.
No matter what techniques your consulting hypnotist uses, overcoming your fear of snakes can be empowering. Once it's gone, you won't have to worry about what may be lurking on TV or what you may see at the park.
Eli Bliliuos is the founder of The New York Hypnosis Institute. He specializes in helping clients overcome the fear of snakes.
To learn more about fear of snakes hypnosis, click here [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/]Fear of Snakes Hypnosis New York
New York Hypnosis Institute LLC
241 West 30 street
New York, NY 10001
877-800-6443
To learn about hypnosis training, click here [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/hypnosistraining.php]Hypnosis Training New York
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Fear-of-Snakes-Hypnosis&id=6366648] Fear of Snakes Hypnosis
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Relaxation Techniques to Get Through a Panic Attack
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Manohar_K_Kaul]Manohar K Kaul
Panic attack is a period when a person gets temporarily disabled with a sense of extreme fear and or psychological distress. Such attacks are often abrupt and the onset is usually without any warning. This can be result of any phobia and even the fear of future attack is another reason to trigger the attack. Women are more prone to such an attack which is normally twice as compared to men. It has been seen that such attacks can occur even with simple imagination of some fear. People who have phobia of height, water or even travelling by air can also get such attacks.
Though it is simply a temporary feeling but panic attacks make situation worst for the sufferer as he/she feels embarrassed after the panic attack is over. Such attacks normally last for ten minutes to half an hour and the person feels entangled in a fight and flight response. Such a situation stimulates body to secrete the adrenaline which reaches its peak in about three minutes; the result is choking, palpitation, chest pain, sweating, nausea, dizziness, trembling and tingling sensation.
Many people who suffer from panic attacks for the first time, think the death is imminent, such a situation makes situation even worse. People temporarily withdraw themselves from the surroundings and feel change in their attitude. They become even more irritable and do not listen to any body. It is the feeling which probably cannot be described. Many people who have suffered from attacks feel it to be the frightening experience of their lives.
Many people who get repeated attacks suffer from panic disorder and even this can be associated with anxiety disorder.There are instances where a sign of panic disorder can lead to a attacks upon exposure to some triggers. Such people need help of an expert psychiatric who puts such patients on anti anxiety therapy, with some anti depression medication. Some therapists also teach the patients, the technique of overcoming such attacks with simple practice. In such a situation the will power of the sufferer plays an important role. If the person has complete mind control, he/she can reduce the flow of adrenaline in the blood circulation.
Phobia is a strong and continuous fear about situations, objects, activities and or person. Some people also suffer through night terror, which is a part of sleep disturbances. Another typical term is psychological trauma which could be result of some childhood happenings. Fear is also one of the causes of panic attack which could be simple imagination of any risk or danger. In most of the cases it has been seen these attacks are triggered with imaginary thoughts, some bad dreams, but in some cases it can be real also. The reason could be any, an accident taking place in front of them or any other violent happenings.
People who suffer from such attacks should visit a therapist, who will help them to know the real cause of panic attacks. Regular counseling by a therapist can also prove to be of great help. But basically the sufferer has to believe in self help by gaining control on the mind and come out of this situation.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Relaxation-Techniques-to-Get-Through-a-Panic-Attack&id=6376895] Relaxation Techniques to Get Through a Panic Attack
Panic attack is a period when a person gets temporarily disabled with a sense of extreme fear and or psychological distress. Such attacks are often abrupt and the onset is usually without any warning. This can be result of any phobia and even the fear of future attack is another reason to trigger the attack. Women are more prone to such an attack which is normally twice as compared to men. It has been seen that such attacks can occur even with simple imagination of some fear. People who have phobia of height, water or even travelling by air can also get such attacks.
Though it is simply a temporary feeling but panic attacks make situation worst for the sufferer as he/she feels embarrassed after the panic attack is over. Such attacks normally last for ten minutes to half an hour and the person feels entangled in a fight and flight response. Such a situation stimulates body to secrete the adrenaline which reaches its peak in about three minutes; the result is choking, palpitation, chest pain, sweating, nausea, dizziness, trembling and tingling sensation.
Many people who suffer from panic attacks for the first time, think the death is imminent, such a situation makes situation even worse. People temporarily withdraw themselves from the surroundings and feel change in their attitude. They become even more irritable and do not listen to any body. It is the feeling which probably cannot be described. Many people who have suffered from attacks feel it to be the frightening experience of their lives.
Many people who get repeated attacks suffer from panic disorder and even this can be associated with anxiety disorder.There are instances where a sign of panic disorder can lead to a attacks upon exposure to some triggers. Such people need help of an expert psychiatric who puts such patients on anti anxiety therapy, with some anti depression medication. Some therapists also teach the patients, the technique of overcoming such attacks with simple practice. In such a situation the will power of the sufferer plays an important role. If the person has complete mind control, he/she can reduce the flow of adrenaline in the blood circulation.
Phobia is a strong and continuous fear about situations, objects, activities and or person. Some people also suffer through night terror, which is a part of sleep disturbances. Another typical term is psychological trauma which could be result of some childhood happenings. Fear is also one of the causes of panic attack which could be simple imagination of any risk or danger. In most of the cases it has been seen these attacks are triggered with imaginary thoughts, some bad dreams, but in some cases it can be real also. The reason could be any, an accident taking place in front of them or any other violent happenings.
People who suffer from such attacks should visit a therapist, who will help them to know the real cause of panic attacks. Regular counseling by a therapist can also prove to be of great help. But basically the sufferer has to believe in self help by gaining control on the mind and come out of this situation.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Relaxation-Techniques-to-Get-Through-a-Panic-Attack&id=6376895] Relaxation Techniques to Get Through a Panic Attack
Monday, April 9, 2012
Are Women Genetically Programmed to Be Afraid of Spiders?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rich_Richardson]Rich Richardson
Maybe men, who are forever being called into the kitchen to rid the room of spiders, may need to be a little more understanding with their female partners and should learn not to be too hard on them for their fear and phobia.
Researchers have recently discovered that women may actually be genetically pre-pre-programmed to instinctively be more afraid of our cute little arachnids than men.
Almost from birth, girls younger than a year old learn to associate images and illustrations of spiders as depicted with scary faces. A lot sooner, it would seem according to research, than boys of the same age.
According to these same researchers, during the course of human evolution women have become instinctively more aware and cautious about potentially dangerous or harmful animals. During further research into this theory the scientists showed ten boys and ten girls a colour picture of a spider paired with a scary cartoon character, whilst they sat on the lap of their parent. This test was designed to try and teach the children to be afraid of spiders. They also then showed them two alternative pairings. One was a spider alongside a smiley face and the other a flower next to a frightened face.
The results were surprising. The girls actually spent more time looking at the picture of the happy face than they did the frightened face, which researchers concluded is due to the fact that they 'expected' spiders to be associated with fear.
The girls were actually more distrustful of the smiley face as they instinctively associating the spider with the frightened face.
When the boys were tested in the exact same way, they were found to have looked at both sets of images for exactly the same length of time. Showing that the rel=nofollow [http://www.panicandanxietyselfhelp.com/Children_with_Anxiety_Disorder.html]anxiety symptoms in children of both sexes did in fact differ.
The prognosis then was that the boys had no pre-conditioned response which would cause them to associate the spider with fear.
In conclusion the researchers summed up these experiments as showing that girls as young as 11 months have already learnt the relationship between a negative facial expression and a relevant frightening trigger (such as a spider or a snake), where as boys of the same age have not.
Based on these reactions it was summarised that because woman can only procreate a limited number of times when compared to men and that they are also in nature the primary carers for their offspring during their childhood, that evolution had provided a built in wariness, where venomous spiders or snakes etc are concerned. These may have been dangers that were faced millions of years ago, when searching for food and as the threat not only to themselves but also their offspring would have been immense, this sense of fear has been developed through evolution
In addition, where the men were concerned, there would have been less pressure on them to avoid these smaller threats. One because the women were the primary carers for the children, and two because of the risks they took every day when hunting for larger prey.
Statistics suggest that around six percent of the human population are afraid of snakes and that four percent have a phobia about spiders (arachnophobia). Researchers believe that based on those included in these figures that women are four times more likely to have a fear of phobia than men.
The theory above seems viable to me, and a great deal of research has gone into the behavioural studies of what seems to be an inherent fear based on very real factors that we as human beings would have had to deal with throughout evolution.
Some however disagree. They are much happier believing that the behaviour is simply copied and handed down through the generations and that young girls learn to be afraid by watching their mothers and sisters. Which is a theory that could be a more than reasonable explanation for the differences in behaviour between men and women.
To read more on phobias and anxiety related disorders, their parent conditions, how to recognise the symptoms and how to start on the road to recovery - come and visit http://www.panicandanxietyselfhelp.com and start learning more on self help methods that will get you up and out of the anxiety pit.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-Women-Genetically-Programmed-to-Be-Afraid-of-Spiders?&id=6383874] Are Women Genetically Programmed to Be Afraid of Spiders?
Maybe men, who are forever being called into the kitchen to rid the room of spiders, may need to be a little more understanding with their female partners and should learn not to be too hard on them for their fear and phobia.
Researchers have recently discovered that women may actually be genetically pre-pre-programmed to instinctively be more afraid of our cute little arachnids than men.
Almost from birth, girls younger than a year old learn to associate images and illustrations of spiders as depicted with scary faces. A lot sooner, it would seem according to research, than boys of the same age.
According to these same researchers, during the course of human evolution women have become instinctively more aware and cautious about potentially dangerous or harmful animals. During further research into this theory the scientists showed ten boys and ten girls a colour picture of a spider paired with a scary cartoon character, whilst they sat on the lap of their parent. This test was designed to try and teach the children to be afraid of spiders. They also then showed them two alternative pairings. One was a spider alongside a smiley face and the other a flower next to a frightened face.
The results were surprising. The girls actually spent more time looking at the picture of the happy face than they did the frightened face, which researchers concluded is due to the fact that they 'expected' spiders to be associated with fear.
The girls were actually more distrustful of the smiley face as they instinctively associating the spider with the frightened face.
When the boys were tested in the exact same way, they were found to have looked at both sets of images for exactly the same length of time. Showing that the rel=nofollow [http://www.panicandanxietyselfhelp.com/Children_with_Anxiety_Disorder.html]anxiety symptoms in children of both sexes did in fact differ.
The prognosis then was that the boys had no pre-conditioned response which would cause them to associate the spider with fear.
In conclusion the researchers summed up these experiments as showing that girls as young as 11 months have already learnt the relationship between a negative facial expression and a relevant frightening trigger (such as a spider or a snake), where as boys of the same age have not.
Based on these reactions it was summarised that because woman can only procreate a limited number of times when compared to men and that they are also in nature the primary carers for their offspring during their childhood, that evolution had provided a built in wariness, where venomous spiders or snakes etc are concerned. These may have been dangers that were faced millions of years ago, when searching for food and as the threat not only to themselves but also their offspring would have been immense, this sense of fear has been developed through evolution
In addition, where the men were concerned, there would have been less pressure on them to avoid these smaller threats. One because the women were the primary carers for the children, and two because of the risks they took every day when hunting for larger prey.
Statistics suggest that around six percent of the human population are afraid of snakes and that four percent have a phobia about spiders (arachnophobia). Researchers believe that based on those included in these figures that women are four times more likely to have a fear of phobia than men.
The theory above seems viable to me, and a great deal of research has gone into the behavioural studies of what seems to be an inherent fear based on very real factors that we as human beings would have had to deal with throughout evolution.
Some however disagree. They are much happier believing that the behaviour is simply copied and handed down through the generations and that young girls learn to be afraid by watching their mothers and sisters. Which is a theory that could be a more than reasonable explanation for the differences in behaviour between men and women.
To read more on phobias and anxiety related disorders, their parent conditions, how to recognise the symptoms and how to start on the road to recovery - come and visit http://www.panicandanxietyselfhelp.com and start learning more on self help methods that will get you up and out of the anxiety pit.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-Women-Genetically-Programmed-to-Be-Afraid-of-Spiders?&id=6383874] Are Women Genetically Programmed to Be Afraid of Spiders?
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Recognizing and Defeating Agoraphobia
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jesse_L_Moore]Jesse L Moore
The term "agora" in agoraphobia" is a Greek word and translates as "marketplace". Now the term is more commonly used to describe a specific type of anxiety disorder that causes a person to avoid any situation that may cause a panic attack. Frequently, this means that an agoraphobic experiences extreme anxiety or fear if required to leave their home. It can also happen in any situation that may cause the sufferer to feel helpless or embarrassed if a panic attack does occur.
Many agoraphobics experience a great deal of anxiety, to the point of panic, in any public setting. This is especially true of any place where there is a crowd, such as a sporting event. The levels of anxiety can be so pronounced that they, literally, trap the individual in their own home.
As with many other types of phobias, treating agoraphobia means facing your fear and that is always very hard. But, there are specific medications and therapies available to help you get past your fears and live a better life.
SYMPTOMS
If you suspect you suffer from agoraphobia, or know someone who might, these are the symptoms most commonly found:
• Afraid of crowded places
• Feeling of helplessness
• Fear of being alone anywhere
• Afraid of being "trapped" somewhere you can't "escape" such as an airplane, train, or elevator
• Being overly dependent on others
• Not being able to leave your house
• Afraid you may "lose control" in a public place
• Feeling that your physical body is somehow disconnected, or not real
CAUSES
Agoraphobia rarely happens without a panic disorder as well. Most commonly it is a complication of a panic disorder which is a disorder that brings about episodes of fear so intense that they cause equally intense physical symptoms. At their worst, panic attacks are terrifying. So much so that the physical symptoms can easily convince you that you are experiencing a heart attack or are dying.
Some research suggests that agoraphobia can be developed if you mentally begin to make a connection between your panic attack and the situations where those attacks have taken place. Naturally, you will probably want to avoid those situations in the future to prevent more panic attacks. Those who suffer from agoraphobia are most likely to steer clear of any circumstance where it would be embarrassing or hard to leave if a panic attack does happen.
Occasionally, this fear becomes so overwhelming that the sufferer is not capable of leaving the perceived safety of their home. But, in most cases, agoraphobics can beat their fears in most circumstances if they are in the company of a trusted family member or companion.
COPING
Regardless of the severity of the agoraphobia, having to live with the symptoms makes life more difficult. While professional treatment will help to get past the fears or, at least, successfully manage them you can also do some things on your own to help the problem.
Avoid Drugs and Alcohol-abusing either illegal drugs or alcohol won't help. In fact, they will make your panic attack symptoms much worse.
Relax-There are many techniques you can learn and practice at home to help. Some suggestions are yoga or meditation.
Don't Avoid Your Fear-This is very hard but practicing going to more places where you are not comfortable will render them less frightening. Take small steps at first and ask family or friends for help.
Take Your Medications-Your therapist undoubtedly told you it can take a week or two to begin to see the effects when you start on a specific drug so stick with it and continue to take your medications exactly as your doctor specifies.
Also, don't stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting your doctor. Suddenly stopping some medications can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Be Healthy-Eat a balanced diet, exercise at least a bit every day, and allow enough time for a good night's sleep.
Find out more about the stress points in our lives and how to manage them effectively by visiting [http://www.controlstress.net]Control Stress
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Recognizing-and-Defeating-Agoraphobia&id=6391526] Recognizing and Defeating Agoraphobia
The term "agora" in agoraphobia" is a Greek word and translates as "marketplace". Now the term is more commonly used to describe a specific type of anxiety disorder that causes a person to avoid any situation that may cause a panic attack. Frequently, this means that an agoraphobic experiences extreme anxiety or fear if required to leave their home. It can also happen in any situation that may cause the sufferer to feel helpless or embarrassed if a panic attack does occur.
Many agoraphobics experience a great deal of anxiety, to the point of panic, in any public setting. This is especially true of any place where there is a crowd, such as a sporting event. The levels of anxiety can be so pronounced that they, literally, trap the individual in their own home.
As with many other types of phobias, treating agoraphobia means facing your fear and that is always very hard. But, there are specific medications and therapies available to help you get past your fears and live a better life.
SYMPTOMS
If you suspect you suffer from agoraphobia, or know someone who might, these are the symptoms most commonly found:
• Afraid of crowded places
• Feeling of helplessness
• Fear of being alone anywhere
• Afraid of being "trapped" somewhere you can't "escape" such as an airplane, train, or elevator
• Being overly dependent on others
• Not being able to leave your house
• Afraid you may "lose control" in a public place
• Feeling that your physical body is somehow disconnected, or not real
CAUSES
Agoraphobia rarely happens without a panic disorder as well. Most commonly it is a complication of a panic disorder which is a disorder that brings about episodes of fear so intense that they cause equally intense physical symptoms. At their worst, panic attacks are terrifying. So much so that the physical symptoms can easily convince you that you are experiencing a heart attack or are dying.
Some research suggests that agoraphobia can be developed if you mentally begin to make a connection between your panic attack and the situations where those attacks have taken place. Naturally, you will probably want to avoid those situations in the future to prevent more panic attacks. Those who suffer from agoraphobia are most likely to steer clear of any circumstance where it would be embarrassing or hard to leave if a panic attack does happen.
Occasionally, this fear becomes so overwhelming that the sufferer is not capable of leaving the perceived safety of their home. But, in most cases, agoraphobics can beat their fears in most circumstances if they are in the company of a trusted family member or companion.
COPING
Regardless of the severity of the agoraphobia, having to live with the symptoms makes life more difficult. While professional treatment will help to get past the fears or, at least, successfully manage them you can also do some things on your own to help the problem.
Avoid Drugs and Alcohol-abusing either illegal drugs or alcohol won't help. In fact, they will make your panic attack symptoms much worse.
Relax-There are many techniques you can learn and practice at home to help. Some suggestions are yoga or meditation.
Don't Avoid Your Fear-This is very hard but practicing going to more places where you are not comfortable will render them less frightening. Take small steps at first and ask family or friends for help.
Take Your Medications-Your therapist undoubtedly told you it can take a week or two to begin to see the effects when you start on a specific drug so stick with it and continue to take your medications exactly as your doctor specifies.
Also, don't stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting your doctor. Suddenly stopping some medications can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Be Healthy-Eat a balanced diet, exercise at least a bit every day, and allow enough time for a good night's sleep.
Find out more about the stress points in our lives and how to manage them effectively by visiting [http://www.controlstress.net]Control Stress
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Recognizing-and-Defeating-Agoraphobia&id=6391526] Recognizing and Defeating Agoraphobia
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Top 3 Things Most People Are Afraid Of
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Johnson]Trevor Johnson
Deep down, most of us are afraid of something. Whether it's a reasonably rational fear or one that we'd rather not admit we have. But - collectively - what are our top fears?
1. Fear of Public Speaking
This is usually quoted as the biggest phobia on the planet. Even higher than fear of death (number two on this list).
Why should this be?
Public speaking brings up lots of different issues.
For a start, there's a chance that you'll embarrass yourself or somehow make yourself look stupid. Never mind that most people in the audience will just be glad that it's not them on the stage and will probably be secretly Tweeting or texting rather than listening to you. It's the thought that they could be paying attention and that you might - just might - mess up that worries public speakers the most.
There's also the worry of "drying up". You've probably cringed when this happens on shows like Dragon's Den or television talent shows. And the worry of it happening to you kicks in, maybe even causing the issue that you were worried about.
The trick with public speaking is to pretend that you're addressing just one or maybe two people. That. And practice. The more practiced and confident you are, the more likely you are to overcome your fear of public speaking.
2. Fear of Death
Sorry to tell you this but - at least with our current technology - death is inevitable. Religion promises us an afterlife but that's not been proven. Some people believe in reincarnation and use instances of deja vu to show that this is true. But we haven't really got a clue whether these are right, so it's probably best to assume that once we die, that's it.
So, why are we scared of death?
After all, once our heart stops beating we will have no conscious feeling.
It's probably the lead-up to death that scares people. The thought of maybe a prolonged and possibly painful illness. Leaving stuff undone or uncompleted. No longer being with loved ones.
All those feelings and more contribute to our fear of death, causing it to be high up on most people's list of fears.
3. Fear of Spiders
There are evolutionary reasons for the phobia of spiders. Some of them can bite and poison us. But a lot of people have taken that deep rooted fear and translated it into the much more common - and harmless - spiders that we are much more likely to encounter.
Of course, that knowledge doesn't exactly help when we're in a face-off with an inch long creature that realizes we're not its next meal but we don't.
Which, in a nutshell, is why so many people are afraid of spiders and will run a mile rather than humanely help them on to pastures new.
Of course, there are lots more fears that people have - some are also common like a fear of needles or a phobia of flying that causes us to take a long road trip rather than a short hop on a plane. Others are less common, such as a fear of fish or a worry that aliens are already taking over the planet.
So if your phobia isn't in the top 3 list, fear not, it's still real enough for you.
Find out how to [http://trevsreviews.com/ten-minute-phobia-cure-review/]overcome any fear or phobia with this easy to use [http://trevsreviews.com/ten-minute-phobia-cure-review/]fast phobia cure.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Top-3-Things-Most-People-Are-Afraid-Of&id=6393489] The Top 3 Things Most People Are Afraid Of
Deep down, most of us are afraid of something. Whether it's a reasonably rational fear or one that we'd rather not admit we have. But - collectively - what are our top fears?
1. Fear of Public Speaking
This is usually quoted as the biggest phobia on the planet. Even higher than fear of death (number two on this list).
Why should this be?
Public speaking brings up lots of different issues.
For a start, there's a chance that you'll embarrass yourself or somehow make yourself look stupid. Never mind that most people in the audience will just be glad that it's not them on the stage and will probably be secretly Tweeting or texting rather than listening to you. It's the thought that they could be paying attention and that you might - just might - mess up that worries public speakers the most.
There's also the worry of "drying up". You've probably cringed when this happens on shows like Dragon's Den or television talent shows. And the worry of it happening to you kicks in, maybe even causing the issue that you were worried about.
The trick with public speaking is to pretend that you're addressing just one or maybe two people. That. And practice. The more practiced and confident you are, the more likely you are to overcome your fear of public speaking.
2. Fear of Death
Sorry to tell you this but - at least with our current technology - death is inevitable. Religion promises us an afterlife but that's not been proven. Some people believe in reincarnation and use instances of deja vu to show that this is true. But we haven't really got a clue whether these are right, so it's probably best to assume that once we die, that's it.
So, why are we scared of death?
After all, once our heart stops beating we will have no conscious feeling.
It's probably the lead-up to death that scares people. The thought of maybe a prolonged and possibly painful illness. Leaving stuff undone or uncompleted. No longer being with loved ones.
All those feelings and more contribute to our fear of death, causing it to be high up on most people's list of fears.
3. Fear of Spiders
There are evolutionary reasons for the phobia of spiders. Some of them can bite and poison us. But a lot of people have taken that deep rooted fear and translated it into the much more common - and harmless - spiders that we are much more likely to encounter.
Of course, that knowledge doesn't exactly help when we're in a face-off with an inch long creature that realizes we're not its next meal but we don't.
Which, in a nutshell, is why so many people are afraid of spiders and will run a mile rather than humanely help them on to pastures new.
Of course, there are lots more fears that people have - some are also common like a fear of needles or a phobia of flying that causes us to take a long road trip rather than a short hop on a plane. Others are less common, such as a fear of fish or a worry that aliens are already taking over the planet.
So if your phobia isn't in the top 3 list, fear not, it's still real enough for you.
Find out how to [http://trevsreviews.com/ten-minute-phobia-cure-review/]overcome any fear or phobia with this easy to use [http://trevsreviews.com/ten-minute-phobia-cure-review/]fast phobia cure.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Top-3-Things-Most-People-Are-Afraid-Of&id=6393489] The Top 3 Things Most People Are Afraid Of
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Fighting the Fear of Flying
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marilyn_Wedge]Marilyn Wedge
Summer has finally arrived, and many of us are looking forward to sunshiny days at the beach, hiking in the mountains, or sightseeing in a foreign country. For some of us, however, a looming summer vacation is not a happy prospect. It means an airplane flight, and these people inwardly quake at the very thought of getting on an airplane. They may fear losing control and panicking during the flight, or suffocating, or dying when the plane unexpectedly takes a nose dive.
Fear or anxiety comes in many forms. Some people have social anxiety, which is a fear of speaking in front of groups or of going into new social situations. Some people experience panic attacks during stressful situations such as taking an exam. A fear of one specific place or thing such as heights, spiders, or plane flights, is called a phobia, a word that comes from the Greek word phobos, or fear. A phobia arises when a person has a bad experience involving the feared thing or place. With the fear of flying, perhaps the person was on an airplane flight where there was an equipment failure and the plane had to turn back. This scared all the passengers. Perhaps the person lost a loved one in an airplane accident. Or perhaps they were on a plane when another passenger had a heart attack. This one scary experience becomes generalized in their mind and feelings, with the result that for them any plane trip is associated with fear.
For me, as a family therapist, summer brings clients who want help overcoming their fear of flying. Of all the strategies in my therapy toolbox, I have found one particular strategy most helpful to combat the fear of flying. This strategy is paradoxical, because I prescribe to the client the very symptom for which she is seeking help. I ask the client to devote fifteen minutes a day to conquering her fear. She has to be alone, in a comfortable place such as her bedroom. She then sets her cell phone or other timer for fifteen minutes. Then she conjures up the most fearful airplane journey she can imagine and starts having the worst fears possible. After fifteen minutes, she can stop having the fear and go about her usual activities.
Most clients come back after a single session and tell me that they feel more in control of their fear. One young client, a seventeen-year-old boy named Mitchell, came up with his own unique variation on the strategy. He did the fifteen minute exercise while he was mountain biking. When he reached the summit of a hill, he set his cell phone timer and brought on his worst fears for fifteen minutes. At the next session two weeks later, Mitchell told me that now he could control his fear by using the power of his own mind. That is exactly the point of the exercise. The mind conjures up the fear and then stops the fear. Like other paradoxical strategies of prescribing the symptom, prescribing fear to combat fear is a powerful intervention.
Marilyn Wedge, Ph.D. Family Therapist and author of recent book: Suffer the Children: The Case Against Labeling and Medicating and an Effective Alternative
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Fighting-the-Fear-of-Flying&id=6389090] Fighting the Fear of Flying
Summer has finally arrived, and many of us are looking forward to sunshiny days at the beach, hiking in the mountains, or sightseeing in a foreign country. For some of us, however, a looming summer vacation is not a happy prospect. It means an airplane flight, and these people inwardly quake at the very thought of getting on an airplane. They may fear losing control and panicking during the flight, or suffocating, or dying when the plane unexpectedly takes a nose dive.
Fear or anxiety comes in many forms. Some people have social anxiety, which is a fear of speaking in front of groups or of going into new social situations. Some people experience panic attacks during stressful situations such as taking an exam. A fear of one specific place or thing such as heights, spiders, or plane flights, is called a phobia, a word that comes from the Greek word phobos, or fear. A phobia arises when a person has a bad experience involving the feared thing or place. With the fear of flying, perhaps the person was on an airplane flight where there was an equipment failure and the plane had to turn back. This scared all the passengers. Perhaps the person lost a loved one in an airplane accident. Or perhaps they were on a plane when another passenger had a heart attack. This one scary experience becomes generalized in their mind and feelings, with the result that for them any plane trip is associated with fear.
For me, as a family therapist, summer brings clients who want help overcoming their fear of flying. Of all the strategies in my therapy toolbox, I have found one particular strategy most helpful to combat the fear of flying. This strategy is paradoxical, because I prescribe to the client the very symptom for which she is seeking help. I ask the client to devote fifteen minutes a day to conquering her fear. She has to be alone, in a comfortable place such as her bedroom. She then sets her cell phone or other timer for fifteen minutes. Then she conjures up the most fearful airplane journey she can imagine and starts having the worst fears possible. After fifteen minutes, she can stop having the fear and go about her usual activities.
Most clients come back after a single session and tell me that they feel more in control of their fear. One young client, a seventeen-year-old boy named Mitchell, came up with his own unique variation on the strategy. He did the fifteen minute exercise while he was mountain biking. When he reached the summit of a hill, he set his cell phone timer and brought on his worst fears for fifteen minutes. At the next session two weeks later, Mitchell told me that now he could control his fear by using the power of his own mind. That is exactly the point of the exercise. The mind conjures up the fear and then stops the fear. Like other paradoxical strategies of prescribing the symptom, prescribing fear to combat fear is a powerful intervention.
Marilyn Wedge, Ph.D. Family Therapist and author of recent book: Suffer the Children: The Case Against Labeling and Medicating and an Effective Alternative
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Fighting-the-Fear-of-Flying&id=6389090] Fighting the Fear of Flying
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Overcoming Driving Phobia in Four Steps
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_C._Smith]Jonathan C. Smith
Individuals can develop a driving phobia for many different reasons. When they do so, a mere thought of a car can lead to symptoms such as dry throats, headaches, nausea, sweaty hands, and panic attacks, Due to this reason individuals who suffer from phobia usually can not drive a car, those who can often need to stop in mid-drive. Thus, individuals suffering from this incapacitating disorder often suffer problems in their social life, work life, and in their self-esteem. However, this does not mean that individuals suffering from phobia are without help or support. In the contrary, there are various methods available to individuals that suffer from driving phobia. Some of these methods include self-help methods, therapy, and medication. The fallowing steps are self-help methods that can help individuals overcome their driving fear.
Due to the fact that you will be trying to overcome your driving phobia by yourself you need to start with simple and small steps. The fist step is for you to just sit in your car and turn the engine on. The second step is to actually drive your car. Go around the block a couple of times and then go back home. The third step involves getting out of your safety drive zone. As soon as you feel that you can drive beyond your block do so, but try to take a driving buddy. Someone that will keep you company and provide support. The fourth and final step involves you getting back on the road by yourself. Remember, the key to overcoming your driving phobia is to start slow; after all, slow and steady win the race.
Understanding and Overcoming Your Driving Phobia
Feeling fear is a part of life; in fact fear is a survival mechanism that kicks in when we are in danger. Being afraid is normal, however, when does being afraid turn into a phobia? Phobia is being afraid without a justified cause. For example, driving fear occurs when an individual witnesses or is in an accident and afterward is affected just by thinking negative thought about driving. Thus the fear becomes reinforced and the driving phobia begins. Phobia is a disability that can affect people of all rounds of life and when it does it can have negative effects in the individuals social life, career, health, and even their self esteem. Therefore, it is vital that people suffering from driving phobia understand their problem and seek professional help.
Driving phobia is an endless cycle of fear that repeats itself over and over again until you decide to put a stop to it. When you realize that you have a problem driving your car, do not ignore it. Ignoring the problem only makes the problem worse because it reinforces the problem. Although facing your fears is not an easy task it can be done, all you need is the appropriate method that will work for you, some positive reinforcing in your part, and time. Since this phobia is a mental problem the best method to overcome it is therapy. However, you can also try to overcome driving phobia by your self by fallowing easy tips and taking baby steps, this method is called self-help. Regardless of what method you choose, you need to keep in mind that overcoming your driving phobia will take time.
Read more about [http://www.driving-fear.com/driving_phobia.html]driving phobia on http://www.driving-fear.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Overcoming-Driving-Phobia-in-Four-Steps&id=6404206] Overcoming Driving Phobia in Four Steps
Individuals can develop a driving phobia for many different reasons. When they do so, a mere thought of a car can lead to symptoms such as dry throats, headaches, nausea, sweaty hands, and panic attacks, Due to this reason individuals who suffer from phobia usually can not drive a car, those who can often need to stop in mid-drive. Thus, individuals suffering from this incapacitating disorder often suffer problems in their social life, work life, and in their self-esteem. However, this does not mean that individuals suffering from phobia are without help or support. In the contrary, there are various methods available to individuals that suffer from driving phobia. Some of these methods include self-help methods, therapy, and medication. The fallowing steps are self-help methods that can help individuals overcome their driving fear.
Due to the fact that you will be trying to overcome your driving phobia by yourself you need to start with simple and small steps. The fist step is for you to just sit in your car and turn the engine on. The second step is to actually drive your car. Go around the block a couple of times and then go back home. The third step involves getting out of your safety drive zone. As soon as you feel that you can drive beyond your block do so, but try to take a driving buddy. Someone that will keep you company and provide support. The fourth and final step involves you getting back on the road by yourself. Remember, the key to overcoming your driving phobia is to start slow; after all, slow and steady win the race.
Understanding and Overcoming Your Driving Phobia
Feeling fear is a part of life; in fact fear is a survival mechanism that kicks in when we are in danger. Being afraid is normal, however, when does being afraid turn into a phobia? Phobia is being afraid without a justified cause. For example, driving fear occurs when an individual witnesses or is in an accident and afterward is affected just by thinking negative thought about driving. Thus the fear becomes reinforced and the driving phobia begins. Phobia is a disability that can affect people of all rounds of life and when it does it can have negative effects in the individuals social life, career, health, and even their self esteem. Therefore, it is vital that people suffering from driving phobia understand their problem and seek professional help.
Driving phobia is an endless cycle of fear that repeats itself over and over again until you decide to put a stop to it. When you realize that you have a problem driving your car, do not ignore it. Ignoring the problem only makes the problem worse because it reinforces the problem. Although facing your fears is not an easy task it can be done, all you need is the appropriate method that will work for you, some positive reinforcing in your part, and time. Since this phobia is a mental problem the best method to overcome it is therapy. However, you can also try to overcome driving phobia by your self by fallowing easy tips and taking baby steps, this method is called self-help. Regardless of what method you choose, you need to keep in mind that overcoming your driving phobia will take time.
Read more about [http://www.driving-fear.com/driving_phobia.html]driving phobia on http://www.driving-fear.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Overcoming-Driving-Phobia-in-Four-Steps&id=6404206] Overcoming Driving Phobia in Four Steps
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