Irrational yet Common Phobias

Some of the most common phobias a person tends to have are irrational. These phobias are a result of multiple things; sometimes it’s due to genetics, sometimes it’s due to some past experiences that traumatize the person severely. Some of these phobias include:

Mysophobia (The fear of germs): Mysophobia is a rather common phobia that makes the patient fear germs, contamination, infection, etc. It affects the mental and physical well-being of the patient. It is said to be an extension of OCD; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Cynophobia (The fear of dogs): The fear of dogs is a very real phobia that effects human into isolation in some cases. Growling dogs are feared by most but being afraid of all dogs, not taking into account the size of the dog, its state or the situation at that moment are all symptoms of Cynophobia.

Understanding These Fears Better

The fear of germs is severe when the patient cannot stop obsessing over the cleanliness. Its symptom is when a person washes their hand much more than usual and when they shower excessively.

The fear of dogs is severe when the patient doesn’t leave the house at the mere thought of running into a dog. When they feel insecure and panicked about their fear, it’s also when they avoid meeting friend’s that are also dog owners.

Impact of Such Phobias on a Lifestyle

A phobia can change a lifestyle completely. It is usually generic hence with the patient for a longer period of time, in some cases since childhood which makes them ignore all that’s wrong with the life they’re living a life of fear and dread.

1. Impact of Mysophobia on A Lifestyle: Germ phobia has a drastic effect on one’s lifestyle. It makes a person less social, fearful of even humans and inanimate objects due to the fear of germs. People suffering from mysophobia put all their time and energy into staying clean and keeping surroundings clean which makes them go out less.

2. Impact of Cynophobia on A Lifestyle: Dog phobia is a very common phobia that keeps people from living life freely. They have severe anxiety and always worry about running into a dog. In extreme cases, the patient would avoid going out at all because the thought of encountering a dog is just as scary as actually doing so.

Treatments to These Phobias

 There is hardly anything that a human can’t recover from, and phobias are no different. There are some treatments to each of these fears that will help the patient live life a little better.

1. Treatments for Mysophobia: The fear of germs is a part of the OCD, and it has to be treated as soon as possible before the fear consumes the mind of the patient and makes them take extreme measures to prevent germs. Exposure therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a properly sanitized and clean environment can help reduce this phobia from the patients’ minds.

2. Treatments for Cynophobia: The fear of dogs may sound silly to some, but the impact it has on its patients is major hence why we need treatments for it. Medication may help, flexible term psychotherapy, exposure therapy, etc are effective ways of reducing this fear.

How to Deal With People Suffering from Such Phobia

It is always best to know about a person and what triggers them before starting a conversation. Here are a few pointers to help understand such people and to communicate with them better.

· Never bring up their fears unless under professional supervision.

· Make sure you respect their personal space and more when it comes to mysophobic people.

· NEVER try to treat them by yourself. Facing fears do not work for everybody.

· Be patient with them.

· Never let them feel as if they are ill, that is the worst thing to bring up to an ill person.

It is in the best interest of everybody if we learn to respect everyone’s boundaries and help them overcome their phobias but with professional help. If a person feels anxiety, stress or fear at the thought of something, it’s most likely a phobia.