Why Some Phobias Never Go Away—Until the Right Therapist Steps In
Phobias are not a momentary fear but profound psychological reactions, which may last many years and even a lifetime. Although most people are trying to cope with these fears on their own, they frequently find themselves unable to do so. It is not really the severity of the fear that is a problem, but the way it is handled and how it is handled. Phobias may result in becoming reinforced trends instead of being dissipated reactions in the absence of the appropriate intervention. The Nature of Persistent Phobias Phobias are never learned behaviors, but rather it is often the complicated combination of memory, emotion, and avoidance that reinforces such a behavior. When an individual avoids an activity he/she fears several times, the brain does not have a chance to unlearn the fear reaction. The fear is instead more instilled. Phobias are also very specific compared to general anxiety. This particularity may render them more difficult to treat at...