A phobia is an extreme or irrational fear of something. Having a phobia can completely change the way one lives their life. For example, the video shown in class of the lady who had a phobia of spiders. She altered her life to revolve around being protected from spiders. Some may be squeamish when it comes to certain things, like blood for example, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have a phobia. Phobias cause people to avoid every day situations or events so they do not come in contact with their phobia. Unlike generalized anxiety, which is anxiety geared towards aspects of life in general, phobias are specific to one thing. There are many different names for different phobias, including claustrophobia (closed spaces), arachnophobia (spiders), and even pogonophobia (beards).
I personally have 2 phobias. Only one greatly affects my life though. I have social phobia and trypophobia. Trypophobia is the fear of clusters of small holes or bumps. For me, I only get anxiety from it when it’s on skin or skin-like materials. Since I never see this in real life, it doesn’t affect my life that much. If I see a picture of it, I get sick to my stomach. On the other hand, my social phobia severely has affected my life. Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is the fear of social situations. I have dealt with this for the past 4 years. It has completely changed the way I live my life. Luckily, I got the courage to get help and now don’t experience nearly as much social anxiety as I have in the past. I am now on medication which has allowed me to stop avoiding people, places, and situations. I can say first hand that having a phobia takes a lot of energy out of a person.
I one hundred percent agree with you saying ur social anxiety phobia can take a lot out of you. Its tiring I myself have Generalized Anxiety and on days of test I find myself absolutely exhausted and tired. The reason isn’t because I was so consumed by my studying it was because my stress and fears are just constantly going through my head. While I myself am not on medication I just wanted to say good for you, taking action and seeking help. Many people are afraid to admit they are “abnormal” but aren’t we all. In regards to social anxiety always thinking about the next situation and the next encounter can be extremely overwhelming try and flip these thoughts around and focus on the moment. I think about it like us people living with anxiety are living in slow motion. Everything external is at a normal pace but in ur head you are constantly thinking so quick and rapidly. Use this to ur advantage and slow things down. You are used to processing more than others. This is why many people with anxiety come so successful is rap or comedy even sports because they are able to process more then others could even comprehend due to the life they live. Keep fighting I hope one day when you get off medication you have gained the power and courage to live with out it. While you might not get the credit you deserve I just wanted to say I know where you are coming from keep it up and promise me to never give up!