The Fear Of Phobias: Causes, Classification, Treatments

The fear of phobias is phobophobia. This anxiety disorder can lead to a cycle of self-replication, ultimately resulting in an escalation of circular fears . Some people with phobia already have one or more existing phobias, while others are afraid of developing one. Phobophobia is often, but not always, related to other anxiety disorders .

Phobophobia with an established phobia

If you already have an established phobia, you may be at higher risk of developing a phobia. This is because a common symptom of any phobia is anticipatory anxiety, causing increasing fear in the days or weeks leading up to a planned confrontation with the object of fear.

Therefore, you may begin to fear not only your original trigger but also your own reaction to it. Over time, this fear can get worse and turn into a phobia.

Phobophobia without an established phobia

It is possible to develop phobia even if you never had a real phobia. For example, you may worry that you will develop a phobia of something you love, or that you will develop a phobic reaction that limits your daily activities. Phobophobia is an anxiety disorder that is rooted in the basic fear of developing a disease. Once you understand that phobias are a life-limiting condition, it is not difficult to understand that a phobia can become the object of fear.

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A self-fulfilling prophecy

Phobophobia is interesting because it is one of the few fears of the disease that can actually lead to the dreaded outcome. Although the fear of cancer (carcinophobia) does not increase the chances of developing it, the fear of phobias can lead to a phobia.

How is it possible for that to happen?

You gradually limit her activities in an increasing attempt to minimize her exposure to fearful reactions. Over time, this can lead to agoraphobia . If your fear is centered around a specific object or situation, you may gradually develop a phobia of that object or situation.

Understanding Phobophobia

Like all phobias, phobophobia is an exaggerated fear response. While in other phobias, the irrationally intensified response is focused on a specific object or situation, in phobophobia, fear is the fear response itself. If you have phobia, you are likely the opposite of an adrenaline junkie. Rather than experiencing an emotion when facing your fears, you may be working to avoid any situation that causes further anxiety.

This instinct for self-protection can have devastating effects on your work or school life, causing you to minimize risks that could lead to great rewards. It can also have an impact on your social life by leading you to avoid situations that you perceive as anxiety inducing.

Treatment for fear of phobias

Phobophobia typically responds well to standard phobia treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnosis. However, since phobophobia is often linked to other anxiety disorders, it is important to treat all conditions simultaneously.

Your therapist will carefully diagnose all applicable disorders and create a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. Phobophobia can be difficult to manage, but with proper treatment, there is no reason for it to limit your life.

Georgia Tarrant
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Hello, how are you? My name is Georgia Tarrant, and I am a clinical psychologist. In everyday life, professional obligations seem to predominate over our personal life. It's as if work takes up more and more of the time we'd love to devote to our love life, our family, or even a moment of leisure.