What’s the difference between a fear and a phobia?

Phobias occur when fears become unreasonable. We all have fears and we all need them to keep safe. A fear of heights is a good thing as it keeps us away from the edge of the cliff. If your fear of heights stops you going above the third floor then this is a phobia. The fear is unneeded, unhelpful, and disabling to your life.

There are many common phobias such as agoraphobia (the fear of open spaces), flying phobia, phobias of spiders, enclosed spaces (claustrophobia) and many, many more. If you have a fear which is limiting your life know is the time to take action. Phobias can be completely overcome. There are people who have been so terrified they wouldn’t get onto a plane who now have their pilots licence. If they can get over a phobia to such an extent then so can you.

In truth the exactlabel of what is just a fear and what is a phobia is completely unhelpful and unecessary. If it bothers you then do something about it, and most of what works for phobias will work for fears. Start challenging it now.

Read this section on phobias and also this section on phobia medications and this one on phobia therapies.


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