2009 m. gegužės 11 d., pirmadienis

Phobias

Social phobia

Most people feel shy around other people at one time or another. Some learn to grow past their shyness and enjoy the company of others. Others remain habitually shy and are awkward around those whom they don't know well. They're afflicted with social phobia, an extreme discomfort of being near most people.

Fear of being in close proximity to other people has been linked to familial tendencies. It's unclear, however, if these tendencies are due to genetic code or simply a learned behavior as a result of continued exposure to the actions of family members.Scientists have also speculated that people who fear being next to others may be ultra-sensitive to a chemical produced in the brain called serotonin. This chemical normalizes the emotions and the mood of a person.

A proper diagnosis of this phobia requires 2 main criteria. First, a person must exhibit a relentless anxiety in social environments. Second, they proactively shun such situations to the detriment of normal daily life. They typically begin to sweat or blush noticeably when confronted with this situation. They have difficulty speaking as their muscles tense and their voice shakes.

The anxiety that people feel as a result of this phobia is usually persistent throughout their lives. That said, the symptoms can be controlled through psychotherapy and medication.

Claustrophobia

If people experience claustrophobia whenever people are occupying enclosed areas, they know the intense fear that can engulf their mind. People avoid elevators and other small spaces. When entering a room, you immediately identify the exits. Often, sitting or standing near the exits can help people breathe more easily.

Many people who suffer from this condition report that their anxiety began to manifest after an event experienced as a child. Often, they were trapped in a small room. Their inability to escape led to an emotional response to the event. If the event is traumatizing, the brain can learn to respond to similar events with the same emotional reactions.

A claustrophobic person is often tense when approaching closed areas. Upon entering a room, they immediately take note of the exit points. If left in a room with no available escape, they can begin profuse sweating as their heart rate quickens.

Several methods of treating this phobia exist including relaxation strategies, homeopathic alternatives, medication and desensitization or related therapy. The phobia is directly linked to the emotional response to an event.


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