Having a phobia means experiencing panic or terror upon encountering the source of your irrational fear. It’s nothing like generalized anxiety disorder because your reaction can be attributed to something specific — you can point out what’s causing it. Some of the most common kinds of phobias include claustrophobia (fear of being in enclosed spaces), agoraphobia (fear of being in open spaces) and acrophobia (fear of being in high areas).
A phobia can bring about symptoms similar to that of a panic attack, or it can cause a panic attack itself. It’s not unlikely for you to experience racing heart, increased blood pressure, mouth dryness, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, upset stomach, profuse sweating and trembling.
The effects of phobia can range anywhere from simply irritating to downright disabling, something that can greatly interfere with the individual’s school, work and relationships. It’s important to note that while an individual is aware that his or her fear is unreasonable, there is nothing that he or she can do to put a stop to it.
While it’s true that there is no known medication for phobia, there are certain drugs that a doctor may prescribe to help the person cope with the problem. Some of them include antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications. Undergoing therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, which something that is proven to be highly effective against phobias, can help in reducing anxiety and panic by allowing the individual to be exposed to his or her fear in a controlled setting. Oftentimes, a combination of CBT and drugs is used to treat phobias, helping the patient to lead a normal and fulfilling life.
There are also some all-natural solutions deemed effective for mild cases of phobias which can be managed at home. If you have a phobia and you wish to try the drug-free approach, make sure that you let your doctor know about it. Here are some of the well-known home remedies for phobias:
Lemon
Sniffing on a slice of lemon when faced with anything that you fear can help avert anxiety and panic. If you tend to suffer from nausea and dizziness during a phobia attack, this particular home remedy can work to your advantage.
Ginseng
This herb popular among individuals who are suffering from stress and fatigue is good for the nervous system, making it beneficial for anyone who is suffering from a phobia.
Ginkgo Biloba
Just like ginseng, ginkgo biloba has various wonderful effects on the nervous system. Several studies have shown that it is also superb at easing stress and reducing insomnia, often associated with phobias.
Lavender
The sweet flowery smell of lavender is enough to soothe your nerves and keep you from panicking. Make sure that you have a small bottle of lavender essential oil in your bag or pocket if you have a phobia.
Chamomile
Just like lavender, chamomile is an excellent remedy for phobias. Uncapping a bottle of chamomile essential oil and bringing it closer to your nose can help keep the usual symptoms of phobia from attacking.
Kava
A lot of traditional healers recommend kava for those who are suffering from mental disorders like phobias. What’s so good about this herb is it can soothe your nervous system without making you feel sleepy or unable to think clearly.
Passion Flower
This herb that bears beautiful flowers is very good at easing anxiety and panic. Supplementing with it can be of tremendous help if you have a phobia and you want to keep it from ruining your life.
Valerian Root
Taking valerian root can help sedate you, thus saving you from fearing what usually brings you that feeling of dread. For many years now, valerian root is commonly given to those who are suffering from phobias.
Do you have a phobia? Is there a natural remedy for it that you yourself have proven effective? Do share!
