fear

There are many things that we humans fear, sometimes due to an incident which has traumatized us in the past. Fear itself is a very natural human emotion but our reactions to it can often be uncomfortable and debilitating in certain environments. If these fears turn into phobias, the problem becomes even more difficult to cope with, occasionally leading to the person seeking out professional help to overcome that phobia.

Some common things that people are afraid of are; heights, closed in places, water, the dark, crowded places, and even animals and insects. Once the fear becomes unconquerable and begins to affect our daily lives, it is now categorized as a phobia. Nobody likes to be faced with a phobia - me included - so it's important to recognize when it has become one and learn how to deal with it.

You can try desensitizing yourself to the thing you fear by gradually increasing your exposure to it. For example, if you're afraid of big dogs, you can first try watching them from a distance. Maybe a few days later, you might feel comfortable decreasing that distance. Over time, you might be able to tolerate the presence of the dog without reacting in fright. Working up the courage to pet it would mean that you have conquered your fear. However, it isn't always this easy and having a phobia of interacting with people would probably destroy your chances for succeeding in a job interview or getting that new promotion. In that case, it is up to you to decide whether or not a professional might be of some assistance.