How to deal with phobias
How to deal with phobias
How the Human Givens approach can help with phobias
What are the criteria for specific phobias?
1. Marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable, cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation (e.g. flying, heights, animals, receiving injections, seeing blood etc.)
2. Exposure to the phobic stimulus almost invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response, which takes the form of a situationally bound panic attack. (In children, the anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing or clinging.)
3. The person recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable. (In children this feature may be absent.)
4. The phobic situation is avoided or else endured with intense anxiety or distress.
5. The avoidance, anxious participation, or distress in the feared situation interferes significantly with the person's normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, social activities or relationships, or there is marked distress about having the phobia.
6. In individuals under the age of 18 years, the duration is of at least 6 months.
All registered Human Givens therapists are fully trained to deal with different types of phobias.
Phobias are often endured with intense anxiety and part of the treatment will relate to anxiety management (see How to Manage Anxiety).
The therapist may use a technique that almost always dissolves phobias, even serious ones, within a few sessions. The client will, in a deeply relaxed state, be taught to detach themselves from the fear associated with the phobia. They will learn to live their lives without fear, to think positively and expect a future without phobia-associated trauma.
A Human Givens therapist will also identify any emotional needs that may not be met, and help the client become aware of any strengths and resources they have that can be used to get these essential human needs met.
The therapist will look at the social support structure of the client and address lifestyle and thinking styles.
Acknowlegements to Mindfields College, Chalvington, East Sussex for material contained on this page.