You cannot copy content of this website, your IP is being recorded
Phobias Therapist

4 Questions to Ask Your Phobia Therapist

Treatments are available for phobias and fears. Talk to the board-certified psychiatrist and mental health specialist Dr. Moses Tabe Ambilichu M.D. today at Success Health Systems LLC. Contact us or schedule an appointment online! We have convenient locations to serve you in Creve Coeur MO, St. Louis MO, Independence MO, Columbia MO, and Olathe KS.

Phobia Therapist Near Me in Creve Coeur MO, St. Louis MO, Independence MO, Columbia MO, and Olathe KS
Phobia Therapist Near Me in Creve Coeur MO, St. Louis MO, Independence MO, Columbia MO, and Olathe KS

Table of Contents:

What is a phobia or fear?
How can a therapist help me overcome my phobia or fear?
What are the most common triggers for anxiety?
What are 3 possible effects of phobias?
Are Phobias a mental illness?

What is a phobia or fear?


Phobia and fear are related but different in their normality of the fear. Fear is an emotion that we feel naturally to protect us from harm when we are faced with real and imminent danger. An excessive level of fear or anxiety that is out of proportion with the actual level of danger that an object or situation presents is called a phobia. Phobias are abnormal reactions of fear or anxiety that can cause avoidance behavior when the individual is exposed to the object or situation at the center of their phobia. Fears are a natural part of our human nature and are shared across all species as a means to protect themselves from danger to life and limb. It allows us to anticipate danger to be able to react to it accordingly and ultimately protect ourselves from harm. Phobias on the other hand are anxiety disorder that is excessive and not in line with the actual danger, if there is any, of the object at the center of the phobia.

How can a therapist help me overcome my phobia or fear?


While your treatment will depend on a number of different factors, there are some things that everyone can do in order to work toward relief of their anxiety symptoms. Often, removing yourself from certain situations in order to avoid undue stress or other triggers can significantly reduce symptoms on a daily basis. By working with an experienced therapist and psychiatrist, you can ensure you learn appropriate coping strategies and effective techniques to manage your anxiety symptoms. Some patients may also benefit from prescription medications that are either taken daily or when a person expects to encounter stressful and anxiety-inducing situations. At Success Health System, our compassionate healthcare providers will help you understand the breadth of treatment options available and design a treatment protocol that will improve your quality of life.

What are the most common triggers for anxiety?


A therapist who specializes in fears and phobias can help with identifying the object causing the reaction and identify what it is about that object or situation that triggers the fear response. The most common form of treatment for phobias is exposure therapy. This type of therapy involves exposing the patient to the object or situation that causes their avoidance behavior, first through small exposures and then slowly increasing. The goal is to overcome the fear response through repeated and gradual increases of exposure by teaching the individual how to calm themselves and deal with their anxiety-based reaction to the object or situation. While exposure therapy has proven successful, it isn’t actually a cure for phobia. Patients will need to continue to be exposed to the phobia-inducing object or situation, either with ongoing help from a therapist or on their own, to ensure the phobia remains under control. Psychotherapy and medications are additional options for treatment but haven’t been shown to be as effective as exposure therapy.

What are 3 possible effects of phobias?


Phobias can range in severity from one person to the next and vary in the type of object or situation that each person has a reaction to. Phobias can cause a number of negative effects in the lives of people who suffer from them, such as severe and life-limiting anxiety, feeling out of control, and helplessness. Phobias can cause severe and life-limiting anxiety which can impact an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks such as running errands, going out with friends, or even going to work. It can have a negative impact on your career, friendships, and overall quality of life. Phobias can cause sufferers to feel out of control. In many cases, people realize and understand that their phobia is irrational or excessive, but they are unable to get it under control, no matter how hard they try. When your phobia affects several aspects of your life such as your job, social life, and general quality of life and happiness, it can be common to feel helpless. This can come from feeling like there is no way to heal or overcome your phobia and wishing things could be different. There is help available for people who suffer from phobias, so you don’t have to suffer in silence.

Are Phobias a mental illness?


Yes, phobias are mental illnesses under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. They are treatable with the help of a mental health professional who will work with you to understand and overcome your phobia. While you may always have some negative feelings towards the object or situation at the center of your phobia, a therapist or other mental health professional can help you find ways to deal with the anxiety it causes and provide you with techniques you can use to calm yourself down when exposed. There is no cure for phobias, so it is important to continue working on your treatment using the techniques provided by your therapist along with continued exposure to the object or situation that causes you to fear and anxiety in order to keep your phobia in check.

For more information, call us or schedule an appointment online! We serve patients from Creve Coeur MO, St. Louis MO, Independence MO, Olathe KS, Columbia MO, Craig KS, Spring Hill KS, Pierpont MO, Kirkwood MO, Kansas City MO, River Bend MO & Beyond!

Locations for Success Health System LLC

Independence, MO

  • 4429 S River Blvd Ste D, Independence MO, 64055
  • View Details

Olathe, KS

Columbia, MO

Creve Coeur, MO

  • 12401 Olive Boulevard, Suite 206, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
  • View Details

Directions to Nearest Location