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Intense fear of dirt - Mysophobia

Mysophobia also known as germaphobia or germ phobiais the intense fear of dirt, germs and contamination. As a result of this fear of contamination by germs those with germophobia tries to avoid situations where there is a chance to get exposed to dirt. Due to this behaviour others might avoid the one with mesophobia and he might get isolated. Mostly Americans are affected by this disease. This phobia may be related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and hypocondriasis.

Symptoms

Nausea

Breathlessness

Tension

Increased heart rate

Washing hands frequently

Stress

Mental anguish

Those with this phobia got unreasonable repeated behaviour like washing hand repeatedly, avoiding public public bathrooms, hesitating to share personal items etc.Some might even refuse to shake hands, touch door knobs etc.

Causes

Various kinds of trauma is considered as the cause of this phobia. It is believed that those with mysophobia has increased considerably with the outcome of diseases like AIDS. Increase in Hygeine products is yet another cause. Those with a character of anxiety or worry may develop this phobia. It may be triggered by a television show also.

Treatment

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy where the cause of disease is diagonised and treated. Meditation, and hypnosis is also good for its treatment. Medication involves use of anti depressive drugs like Zoloft, Prozac or Paxil. But this might cause side effects and can not treat disease permanently. These SSRIs and SNRIs helps to increase serotonin levels in brain. Klonopin and xanax are Benzodiazepines commonly prescribed by people. Inderal is a beta blocker that help to control anxiety. Nardil and Parnate are MAOI's that are very effective but have diet controls. Hypnotherapy, energy psychology and neuro-linguistic programming are also found effective. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) like Energy Psychology is emerging as excellent therapies for Mysophobia. Energy therapy makes you active, changes your behaviour, controls your thought pattern, relaxes and develops certain skills useful for lifetime. It can be called as emotional acupuncture.

Alternate Medicines

Herbal medicine is helpful to reduce anxiety and control emotions. Thus it is helpful to patients with phobias.

Links

http://www.depression-guide.com/phobia/mysophobia.html

http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/mysophobia.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080531194036AAQComF

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/medical/mysophobia.htm

http://www.fearofgerms.com/

http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f33/mysophobia-germophobia-47405/

http://www.phobiaq.com/phobia/mysophobia.html

Claustrophobia - Fear of enclosed places

Claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed places. This anxiety may be due to any other general phobias or because the person is claustrophobic. In a Claustrophobic anxiety is developed under certain situations and hence it is a situational phobia. A person with this phobia might find it difficult to be in a car, elevator or in a closed room. In some cases even seeing a closed door can cause panic and anxiety. Person will be isolated from society and this can cause depression.

Symptoms

Those suffering with Claustrophobia might experience nausea, lightheadedness, hyperventilation, fainting, increased heart beat, sweating, fainting, shaking, fear of physical harm etc. while enclosed in a room or even in an elevator.

Causes

For persons with bitter childhood experience this phobia may occur. Those who were stuck in an enclosed place and had some unpleasent experience may get affected by this phobia. such experiences can even cause panic attack. Those with general tendency towards anxiety and fear, those having high strung character and those suferring from adrenal insufficiency and likely to be affected by this phobia.

Treatment

Though there is no specific treatment for this phobia symptoms can be cured and thus brought under control. Psychiatrists will be of great help in this. Behaviour therapy, exposure therapy etc. are found helpful. In behaviour therapy the particular reason for anxiety is detected and by way of positive thinking and visualization feeling of danger with particular situation. Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a more effective therapy in which patients preconceived view of danger is destroyed. Flooding and Counter-conditioning are exposure therapies and in Counter-conditioning behaviour therapy and relaxation techniques are used. Psychoeducation, Virtual reality exposure, Breathing exercises, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Relapse prevention, Modelling etc are als ofound effective in treating Claustrophobia. MR Imagining is another method in which midazolam spray is administered intranasal. Among medicines Anti depressents and beta blockers are used to prevent panic attacks. Tranquillisers, anti depressants and beta blockers, benzodiazepines,xanax, Valium are also given to patients. But all these medicines are likely to cause side effects. Above all support from relatives and friends is very necessary for those with phobias.

Alternative Medicines

Hypnotherapy, Homeopathy and Natural herbal medicines are also useful to treat phobias. In Hypnotherapy your subconcious programmes that causes fear is minimized and this helps to bring anxiety under control. Natural herbs like Passiflora incarnata, Scutellaria laterifolia (Scullcap) and Valerian helps tp release from fear while Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort) balances the serotonin level and reduces the anxiety. Natural herbs usually promote sense of well being and soothes uneasy nerves. Most attractive part is that these medicines does not have any side effects. Meditation, Yoga, breathing techniques, muscle relaxation etc are also very effective. Energy psychology is yet another emerging method which is fast, effective, safe and long lasting. It can be called as emotional acupuncture as it concentrates on relaxing pressure points.

Links

http://www.disease-condition.com/symptom-treatment/claustrophobia.htm

http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/dealing-with-claustrophobia-info.html

http://www.phobia-fear-release.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-claustrophobia.html

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/claustrophobia/treatments.htm#latest

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Claustrophobia?OpenDocument

Fear of lightning and thunder - Brontophobia

Brontophobia also known as Astraphobia or Keraunophobia or Tonitrophobia is the persistant and abnormal fear of lightning and thunder. This phobia is mostly seen among childen and at times among adults also. The unnecessary fear causes anxiety even though the person knows that thunder will not cause any harm to him. When outside this very high level of anxiety may cause the person to react in a heightened state and this will increase blood pressure. He will feel drained and in a weak state. at home the person may hide under some thing like table or sofa. Those affected by this phoibia might avoid all social activities when there is chance of thunder storm. This can even make the person panic. Even though he is aware that thunder is not likely to cause any harm a Brontophobic will not be able to escape from the fear.

Symptoms

Breathing difficulty

Increased heart beat

Excessive sweating

Panic attacks

Feeling sick

Restlessness

Stress

Drymouth

Causes
Any incident that occured in the past due to thunder and lightning may be the cause of such panic. Person might have experienced or witness any hazards due to thunder and lightning. Certain portion of the brain experience panic attack and thus the persons mind cannot think as of usual man.

Treatment
Neuro Linguistic Programs work very well for Brontophobiatics. They can practice Self-help Neuro Linguistic Programs and there by change the thoughts that cause panic. An expert can help you to remodel the thoughts and there by change the preconceived notions which is the cause of phobia. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is also found helpful in which the patient get exposed to similar situation and thus the mind gains power to resist panic and anxiety. Flooding and counter-conditioning are part of CBT. Sedatives or anti-anxiety medications are at times useful to relieve from symptoms like stress. Virtual reality therapy is also good as artificial storm and thunder can be created indoors withthe help of 3d images in a computer. It is less expensive and less time consuming. Talk therapy, support groups in which those who are trying to help themselves to cope with phobia is also helpful. relaxation techniques are also good to relieve from stress.

Alternative Medicines
Hypnotherapy is also helpful for some persons. Psychotherapy by expert psychologists are also effective. In energy psychology energy medicine, yoga, t ai chi (Chinese martial form for physical and emotional well being), prana, qi gong (Chinese meditative practice with slow graceful movements and breathing techniques), acupressure etc are used. These methods help to stimulate energy points and thereby changes brains electrochemistry. Psychiatric expers as well as behavioural therapists are helpful to treat phobias.

Links

http://www.phobiaq.com/phobia/brontophobia.html
http://www.phobia-fear-release.com/brontophobia-2.html
http://10-most-common-phobias.com/thunder-storm-brontophobia
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12195
http://www.depression-guide.com/phobia/brontophobia.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1190474/brontophobia_and_its_treatment.html
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/b/brontophobia/treatments.htm

Agoraphobia - Fear to be alone

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a condition in which person tries to avoid places where chance of help are less, or places causing anxiety to him. This phobia usually starts at the age of 20 to 25. Those suffering from agarophobia are afraid of panicking situations. They will start avoiding such occassions and might become house bound. They are in need of a companion at all times. Agarophobia may lead to some other specific phobias or panic disorders. They might get isolated from society and might affect interpersonal relations or job perfomance. They will have rigid thinking also.

Symptoms

Fear to be alone
Feel of helplessness
Need of companion
Fear to lose control in public places
Geting dettached from others
Becoming housebound
Avoiding places where help is difficult
Feeling oneself that their body or environment is unreal
Anxiety attack
Agitation with trembling
Fainting
Chest pain
Nausea
Choking
Numbness
Dizziness
Skin flushing
Sweating excessively and High blood pressure
Fear of death

Causes

This is a condition that arise from facing panic creating situations repeatedly or anxiety causing places. Some might be feeling fear or discomfort rather than panic. Those with a family history of phobias may have these symptoms. Women are affected more and this is a condition that accompanies other panic disorders. It happens to those with a general tendency to fear and anxiety, those characterized high strung or to those with adrenal insufficiency.

Treatment

Systematic desensitization or method to get relaxed and imagining anxiety causing things might help.Exposure to such situations is another method. To get rid of symptoms one may use anti depressive or anti anxiety medicines. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like Paxil, Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like venlafaxine (Effexor)are given to patients. paxil is the primary choice and Effexor is used in severe cases. Benzodiazepines are prescribed when anti depressents does'nt help. Along with drugs certain behavioural therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Pleasant mental imagery, Relaxation techniques are also fond useful. Councelling also helps to deviate from the thoughts that lead to anxiety or panic. Changing the life style with exercise, enough rest and sleep along with good nutrition is also effective.

Alternative medicines

Medication and Yoga are another methods helpful with medicines. This helps to regain confidence and to get relief. Homeopathy refers to certain medicines like pure calm is useful in cases of panic attack. Hypnosis by an expert hypnotherapist will help to understand the root cause of phobia and it is easy to treat when you know the cause. But in all cases this is not useful as every one cannot be hypnotised.


Links

http://www.iampanicked.com/anxiety-articles/agoraphobia-treatment.htm

http://www.panic-and-agoraphobia.com/

http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/agoraphobia.asp

http://ezinearticles.com/?Different-Kinds-Of-Agoraphobia-Treatment&id=791167

http://pages.infinit.net/drnayman/agorapho.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000923.htm

http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/agoraphobia?utm_medium=ask&utm_source=smart&utm_campaign=article&utm_term=Agoraphobia&ask_return=Agoraphobia

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000931.htm#Definition

Fear of Heights - Acrophobia

One of the most common phobias, Acrophobia or Allodoxaphobia is the extreme fear of heights which effects the quality of life.It is considered as a hyper reaction to normal response to fear. A person with this disease gets panic when they reach heights. when it gets severe the person might restrain from climbing to heights or even going to a flat which is on top level. An Acrophobic might experience dizziness or feel like spinning when he reach height and might get confused witht he disease `vertigo'.
Symptoms of Acrophobia
A person with Acrophobia on reaching heights will experience
Severe anxiety
Losing sense of balance trying to cling to some thing, descending at the spot, crawling, kneeling etc.
Breathlessness
Heart palpitations or anxiety attack
Dizziness
fear of dying
Excessive sweating
Shaking
Nausea
Dry mouth
Inability to speak or think clearly
Might cry or yell out
Causes
The phobia is caused by extreme fear of injury or death caused by a fall. At times a bitter childhood exerience may be the reason. Phobia is created by unconcious mind.
Treatment
Panicking caused at heights can cause extreme danger and hence treatment is very necessary. CBT or Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most common treatment. patients are taught to regain emotional control and to stop panic reaction under situations. Exposure Therapy ie. Exposing to heights is the most common solution.Virtual Reality Exposure in which patient is exposed to similar situation by way of computer generated three dimentional virtual image is another more effective methos as it is cost and time saving. In this method Therapist need not accompany patient to on location. In early stages tranquilizers or antidepressents or anti anxiety medications are useful. A drug used for treating Tuberculosis called D-cycloserine (DCS) is effective to treat Acrophobia as it affects amygdala region of brain that governs response to fear. Therapists helps to practice specific behavioural skills for boosting confidence or stress relief techniques or relaxation and thus to implement it in real life situations. Hypnotherapy is yet another method. A person who is phobic need to know more about the issue and try himself to get out of the situation.Medication, Positive thinking and gradual desensitisation also helps. Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Hypnotherapists, primary care physicians, Councelling centers, clinical social workers, etc can help to recover from phobias. Most important is that the details of the disease is to be conveyed to the therapist in all aspects and patient must have faith in therapist.
Alternative Medicine
Herbal and Homeopathic medicines are also seen effective in teating Acrophobia. Herbal medicines maintain the nerves in good condition and thus gives a positive outlook. Homeopathic medicines help to cure the symptoms ans there by reduce the risk of panic attack due to phobia. Verti-Free, PureCalm are homeopathic medicines that support inner ear balance.
Links
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14975783
http://www.naun.org/journals/mcs/mcs-61.pdf
http://www.vrphobia.com/heights.htm
http://www.allaboutskyscrapers.com/acrophobia.htm
http://www.remedies4.com/download/natural-help-for-acrophobia.pdf
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellpage/treatments-for-acrophobia
http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/acrophobia.asp?SDID=139:1339.
http://www.emotrics.com/people/milton/papers/compareworlds/
http://www.fitsea.com/healthy-informations/acrophobia-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/216/
http://www.simplephobiasguide.com/fear-of-heights-phobia.php
http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/inst_reports2.cfm?article=4698
http://www.spwickstrom.com/acrophobia/
http://www.medhelp.org/tags/show/25051/Acrophobia?middle_panel=users
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellpage/symptoms-of-acrophobia
http://www.way2hope.org/Illnesses/acrophobia-fear-heights.htm
http://www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com/phobias_psychologist_and_psychologists/psychologist_acrophobia.htm
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9944
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-acrophobia.htm
http://phobias.about.com/od/introductiontophobias/a/acrophobiaprof.htm
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/natural-remedies-for-acrophobia-treatment.html

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"The information provided on this blog may or may not be relevent. All the information are
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practitioner before trying the treatment explained in this blog. We will not take any
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