Whether it’s spiders, planes, heights or enclosed spaces, most people have something that they’re scared of. It’s when these fears develop into phobias that are having a negative impact on your day-to-day life that it’s time to speak to someone who can help. 

What is a phobia?

A phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a specific activity, object or situation that can cause the individual distress and interfere with their daily life. Having a phobia might result in the individual avoiding doing activities they otherwise want to do - for example, avoiding holidays abroad due to a fear of flying. 

Unlike ordinary fears, phobias often provoke a strong and overwhelming response in the individual, even when the perceived threat is minimal or even nonexistent.  

If you’re currently struggling with a phobia, please know that there are a range of therapy options available to treat different phobias, including EMDR. 

Phobias are incredibly common, affecting millions of people worldwide, and you are not alone in what you’re experiencing. Many individuals suffering with phobias feel isolated, or like they cannot tell their loved ones about what they’re struggling with, but the truth is that most phobias are more widespread than you might think. 

If you’re seeking treatment for a phobia, but not sure where to start, I’m here to explain how EMDR is an effective option. With the right treatment, it’s possible to manage and even overcome phobias, allowing individuals who have previously struggled to lead more fulfilling lives. 

What causes phobias?

Phobias can develop due to a combination of factors, but a common cause is a past traumatic experience, where the individual might have had a frightening or distressing encounter that has led their mind to associate particular objects or situations with danger. For example, if you’ve previously experienced an extremely turbulent flight, you might have a fear of flying. 

If you’re wondering if genetics can play a part in phobias, then the answer is yes. Those with a family history of phobias may be more prone to developing them, and phobias can also come from learned behaviours. So, if you’ve been exposed to a parent’s, friend’s or close family member’s fear on a regular basis throughout your childhood, this may have also contributed to your phobia. 

It’s important to understand that phobias do not make you weak or a failure, but that they’re just a response to the way that your brain has developed in an attempt to protect you. 

What are the three types of phobias?

Phobias typically fall into three categories: specific phobias, social phobia, and agoraphobia. 

Specific phobias are intense fears of particular objects such as spiders or heights. Though these may seem irrational to others, they can be deeply distressing for the person experiencing them. 

Those suffering with social phobias likely struggle with a profound fear of social situations, fearing being judged or embarrassed, leading to them avoiding situations where others might find routine, such as parties, bars or even day-to-day social situations like work or school. 

Those struggling with agoraphobia, on the other hand, have a fear of situations where escape could be difficult, or where help would be unavailable should they need it. 

How do phobias affect your life? 

Those with phobias will know that they can have a massive impact on your life, often evolving beyond the specific fear itself. Phobias can affect your ability to do daily activities, your relationships and your overall well being when left untreated. 

Phobias can also lead to avoidance of the fear itself - for example, avoiding walks due to a fear of dogs, or isolating yourself if you have a social phobia, which can make it difficult to form or maintain relationships and can hinder your career growth. 

Those struggling with agoraphobia may avoid going outside due to feeling like the only truly safe space is home.

The anxiety triggered by all of these different types of phobias can have a negative impact on individuals’ overall mental and physical health, leading to stress, panic attacks or feeling ashamed or frustrated. By avoiding the things that are the subject of their phobias, individuals shrink their worlds, making it feel smaller and more restricted, 

Does EMDR work with phobias?

If you’re currently suffering with a phobia and considering EMDR as a treatment option, you can be assured that this is an effective form of therapy, as it can help you to process and overcome the intense fear you’re struggling with. 

To treat phobias through EMDR, I guide individuals through a series of eye movements or other bilateral stimulation such as the butterfly hug method whilst they recall the traumatic event or fear-inducing situation that lies behind their phobia. 

During this process, the brain then reprocesses the memories or associations that are causing the phobia, reducing their emotional intensity in the individual’s mind. 

Through these sessions, and over time, the fear response associated with the subject of the phobia diminishes, allowing the individual to confront the situations they might have previously avoided with less anxiety than before. 

Does EMDR calm the nervous system?

Yes, EMDR can help to calm the nervous system. The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR helps the brain to reprocess traumatic memories or fears in a way that reduces the body’s stress response. 

Through this reprocessing, EMDR can help to shift the brain’s response from a state of “fight or flight” to a more relaxed state, helping to calm the nervous system.

When is EMDR not recommended?

Wondering if EMDR is right for you? EMDR may be unsuitable for individuals in the midst of a severe mental health crisis, such as psychosis, severe dissociation or those currently struggling with uncontrolled symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is because the intense focus on distressing memories might overwhelm the individual, potentially worsening their symptoms. 

Those dealing with unstable living conditions or substance abuse may also be advised to stabilise their condition before trying EMDR. Those with other medical conditions such as seizures should also avoid EMDR, as the bilateral stimulation could trigger an episode. 

If you’re thinking about trying EMDR for treating your phobia, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. Your first session with me will be an initial assessment to plan the right course of treatment most appropriate for your unique situation, so we can work together to tackle any issues that you may be experiencing.