COPING WITH…a phobia

Facing a fear is the best way to overcome it, says Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones

- Melanie Wynne-Jones

Aphobia is an irrational fear of something that wouldn’t frighten most people. But even if we know it’s irrational (or if we think it’s justified), it can also feel unbeatable and affect how we live our lives.

One in 10 of us has a phobia at some time. Spiders, snakes, dentists and flying are common triggers, but it could be certain textures, foods or situations, such as crowds, being closed-in (claustrophobia), going out (agoraphobia), or social phobia. Or it may be something unusual or personal, perhaps linked to an unpleasant past experience, such as illness, traumatic events, including difficult childbirth, or relationship/ sexual problems.

The symptoms