Understanding Specific Phobias and How to Manage Them

Have you ever heard about specific phobias? Concern or fear about certain situations, activities, animals, or objects isn’t uncommon. Many people feel anxious when faced with a snake or spider, heights, or traveling by plane. Fear is a rational response to situations that can pose a threat to our safety. However, some people react to objects, activities, or situations (the phobic stimulus) by imagining or irrationally exaggerating the danger.  Their feelings of panic, fear, or terror are completely out of proportion to the actual threat. Sometimes, the mere thought of the phobic stimulus is enough. Other times, the sight of…