A Phobia presents itself in a number of categories and is a source of fear and anxiety for a person.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos

Phobia of the Day: Aerophobia

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an irrational response.

A Phobia presents itself in a number of categories and is a source of fear and anxiety for a person.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving excessive and persistent fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an immediate anxiety response.

Most specific phobias fall into one of four major categories:

  • Fears of the natural environment
  • Fears related to animals
  • Fear related to medical treatments or issues
  • Fears related to specific situations

Phobia of the Day: Aerophobia is an extreme fear of flying in an airplane

People with aerophobia may be scared about different aspects of flying, such as take-off, landing or getting locked in the plane. You might know that your fear is irrational — statistics show that air travel has the lowest death rates among other forms of transportation — but you can’t reason your way out of the anxiety. It’s also possible for people with aerophobia to have panic attacks before or during a flight. Symptoms may include:

  • Chills.
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness.
  • Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
  • Heart palpitations.
  • Nausea.
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
  • Trembling or shaking.
  • Upset stomach or indigestion (dyspepsia).

SELF-CARE TIPS FOR PHOBIAS THAT BRING ON ANXIETY

  • Talk to someone you trust. 
  • Learn to manage panic and anxiety. 
  • Look into joining a support group. 
  • Use self-help resources. 
  • Take a course for your specific phobia.

RECENT PHOBIA WORD POSTS:

Cyberphobia

Koinoniphobia

Ephebiphobia

Claustrophobia

Cibophobia

Cynophobia

Cacophobia

Do you have a phobia you suffer from that you’d like to share?

If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 and we’ll publish the ones that we feel are most interesting!

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