Spiders are scary. Heights can be terrifying. Don’t even Google “House Centipedes.” They are multi-legged monsters that horror films are made from. Nearly everyone has some fear that is strong enough that they call it a “phobia” with friends and family. Most of these phobias have no effect on day to day life. Yet there are times when a phobia requires treatment from a trained Long Island phobia psychologist.
What Makes a Phobia “Treatment Worthy”?
There are no rules for when a phobia can be treated. You can start treating phobias at any time, and there are many very effective treatments for phobias. Yet there are some times when a treatment is arguably “necessary.” These include:
- Phobia Affects Behaviors – When you start to avoid regular situations because of your phobia, it needs treatment. For example, if you can’t mow your lawn because you’re afraid of spiders, or you refuse to see your kids because you don’t want to get on a plane, your phobia may be worth treating.
- When the Fear is Long Lasting – Many people jump when they see a spider, but after they kill it or get away from it they move on. Those that have a profound fear that seems to continue to affect them long after they’ve moved away from the stimulus are often in need of treatment. These individuals still experience heightened anxiety simply from exposure that seems to last for more than 15 minutes after the cause of the fear has moved away.
- Panic Attacks – When your phobia causes severe fear or panic attacks when you come into contact with the object of your fear, it’s often worth controlling. That level of fear can be very hard on the body, and if you’re experiencing anxiety attacks that are so strong that you are practically debilitated, it’s a good idea to get treatment.
Every phobia can benefit from a treatment, because phobias are, by their very nature, irrational fears that affect your life. But if the phobia is minor, you can go your entire life without the phobia really affecting you. However, when phobias affect your life in ways like the examples above, it’s often a good idea to seek treatment from a trained anxiety specialist.
If you’re in Long Island, Garden City, Lawrence, or other related areas in New York, contact me today at (516) 732-0273 to start your phobia treatment.
