The sum of all fears

Most phobias can be traced back to a past happening that left an indelible mark on the mind,which is replayed with crushing effects when faced with a similar situation. 23-year-old software engineer Anthony Mendonca is scared of crowded places. “During my school days I had visited the Vatican City,where during the Papal Mass there was a minor stampede and the police had to disperse the crowd using water cannons. The entire incident left me so scared that even today I am unable to go to crowded places. In fact,I am scared of even driving in long tunnels or going to the cinema. It is definitely not easy,especially if you use public transportation,but as far as is possible I avoid crowds,or make sure a friend is accompanying me,” says Mendonca. Having a known and trusted person around can greatly help overcome the helpless reactions to ones phobias.

Parul Khona,a family counselor and psychotherapist,says,”When talking to people with phobias,I ask them to delve into past incidents that could have triggered their fears. This past connection helps me determine how deep-rooted the fear is,and also helps the person analyse the situation more rationally,as the cause now clears up in his/her head. The person is then encouraged to face up to the situation that frightens him,with a close friend or family member giving him support,become conscious of it and then overcome it. It may take multiple sessions,but it is possible. It boils down to one’s mental strength.”

The list of phobias towards innumerable things and situations seems to get longer by the day. Instances of people being claustrophobic or agoraphobic are not uncommon. Many revolutionary cognitive and behavioural therapies have evolved over the decades to iron out the frightened creases of the mind. Hypnosis,though contested in many quarters,has proven effective in many severe cases. So has the past life regression technique,that spoons out events from the previous life of the patient that could have hungover in the sub-conscious. More conventional techniques like visualisation,helps patients imagine their fears and face it right there. “A technique that may sound risky but is actually very effective is called ‘flooding’. The patient is just pushed into the situation that he fears,and allowed to deal with it. In this instant the person is forced to address his fear and has no go but to fight and overcome it. Of course we make sure there is a trusted friend or relative around to inspire him to face up to his weakness,” says psychiatrist Dr. Naveen Raina.

Rohit Sen,a mechanical engineeer,is scared of blood. “I am just plain terrified of it. I don’t really know why,but if I encounter an accident victim,or see war pictures,my teeth start chattering and I have even fainted once when I had seen an accident on the road. It is impossible to avoid getting hurt ever. But,whenever I do hurt myself,I try not to stare at the wound,as it is very scary for me. So,I keep my eyes closed. I end up screaming if I look at the wound.” Practical considerations aside,sometimes what stalls that desperate need to meet the doctor is the stigma attached to it. Mental illnesses have never been the easiest to seek help for,but phobias too tread that hazy line of being misjudged as being chemical lochas in the head. As Khona says,“One needs to address the phobia in it’s initial stage itself by consulting a psychiatrist. It is something that may not be tackled in the right way by oneself.” To top it,phobias and bullying make for an explosive combination that could kill any little medical inclination the person may want to explore. So,lets empathise and help,and not tease.

Common spine-chilling fears

* Agoraphobia – Open and crowded places

* Arachnophobia – Spiders

* Acrophobia – Heights

* Claustrophobia – Enclosed spaces

* Aviophobia – Flying