31 Phobias: #6 Fear of Terrorism

Fear of Terrorism

Domestic and/or Foreign

Public officials, journalists and security corporations that spread fears of terrorism doesn't help those who suffer from terrorphobia. In fact, the more the public hears about "terror attacks", the greater fear it becomes and more real to them.

However, studies were showing that terror attacks were on the decline.

The World has Changed

Unfortunately, I feel the world has changed forever - but not necessarily for the worse. Yes, technology is definitely affecting our everyday life with such devices as GPS, the Internet, the cellphone, &c., it's amazing how far we have come since just 25 years ago - it's also amazing how easily dependent we have become of them.

The "Information highway" is in full throttle and it's only getting faster (and better). With the media now able to send out news bulletins via Internet (whether they're correct or not), can only induce more fear & anger for those who suffer from terrorphobia.

What Terrorphobiacs Fear

Terrorphobia is a rather new phobia. Some don't consider terrorphobia a "real" phobia and that it's just schizophrenia. People being totally afraid of entering a tall building for fear of a plane flying into it or some other catastrophic event. Being in a large crowd can begin to feel to a terrorphobiac what a person who suffers from claustrophobia might feel. Spotting an unattended bag or suitcase can drive a terrorphobiac crazy if not discarded or searched through immediately.

When the United States declared "War on Terror" it developed a whole new breed of Terrorphobiacs. Not to mention it heightened an already high sense of fear in those 'who knew' something BIG was going to happen. After the US declared "War on Terror" it may have confirmed most of their suspicion, but it only strengthen the terrorphobia in a few others, including those suffering from schizophrenia as well.
Not good.

Seeing someone (specifically one of a darker skin tone) on a cellphone can trigger a terrorphobiac. With today's movies & TV, terrorists are often seen detonating a bomb or some other explosive device using a cellphone. Although this technique is shown on screen it is also a proven method and has been used by terrorists.

Terrorphobia is the Fear of Terrorism

It's understandable how one may develop terrorphobia. Just look at the world and how people are treating one another. It's a shame really, but life moves on...it has to. So, when you step outside, it's okay to be cautious; to stay alert of your surroundings. It's not okay to break into a frenzy over lost luggage. To a terrorphobiac, terrorism could strike at any time; at any moment. It seems the terrorist succeeded with those who unfortunately suffer from terrorphobia. That was exactly their agenda...to cause you to live in fear.

Congratulations.

I'm being sarcastic, of course, however I feel terrorism can be beaten. Therefore, terrorphobia can be beaten as well. That's just my opinion. I make this claim with no proof or evidence.

I'm just using logic.

Like most other phobias, a cure for terrorphobia is not known. However, there is therapy. Unlike most other phobias, therapy has a higher success rate when dealing with terrorphobia in a stressful situation. In time, handling the outburst over the terrorphobia will become much easier to control. The thought will still be there, and it could quite possibly be there for the rest of your life, but handling the terrorphobia won't be such a nightmare.

So, of course there is hope. There's always hope.

It's nice knowing that terrorism has been on the decline (worldwide) and that top leaders in popular terrorist outfits have been terminated. In other words, they have been killed.