10 Ways to Cope with Phobias

Some people suffer from an intense fear of things and situations that are unlikely to harm them. Phobias can actually prevent individuals from functioning regularly in their daily lives. Some common phobias include heights, small spaces, flying, snakes, spiders, needles, and being alone. However, many people suffer from lesser-known phobias.Having a severe phobia can be draining, especially since your trigger may be something you're exposed to regularly or something that you have no control over. For example, you're afraid of heights and your office is on the top floor of a high-rise building.Many people suffer from the anxiety of feeling self-conscious about their phobias. However, there is nothing to be ashamed of because having a phobia is a fairly common disorder and in order to overcome your phobia, you must not hide from it. The most effective approach to relieving your phobia symptoms long-term is to address the cause. More often than not, phobias stem from trauma so addressing and overcoming past experiences is pivotal. Recovering from trauma is a long journey so as you work on it; you can use the tools below to learn how to cope with the symptoms of your phobia in the meantime!

1. Sit Back and Rely On Relaxation

Some physical and emotional feelings you may experience when you're exposed to your phobia may include increased heartbeat, shaking, and overwhelming anxiety. Instead of trying to avoid your trigger, rely on relaxation. When you start to notice these symptoms surfacing, acknowledge the way you are feeling but don't become alarmed by these feelings. Instead, remember that you're safe and even though the discomfort you're feeling is distressing, it cannot cause you harm.It's important to remember that even though you may not be able to control being exposed to your phobia, you can control your reaction to it. Furthermore, having support makes facing any difficult situation less overwhelming. So, sometimes simply having a hand to hold can bring a lot of relief.Next