A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos
Phobia of the Day: What is Frigophobia?
A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an irrational response.
A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos
A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving excessive and persistent fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an immediate anxiety response.
Most specific phobias fall into one of four major categories:
- Fears of the natural environment
- Fears related to animals
- Fear related to medical treatments or issues
- Fears related to specific situations
Phobia of the Day: Frigophobia translates as fear of cold.
Frigophobia translates as fear of cold. It comes from the Latin word for cold, frigus, and the Greek word for fear, phobia. It applies to cold temperatures, but also to things with a cold nature, such as cold food. Simple phobias cause both physical and psychological symptoms. The physical, or somatic, symptoms are the result of real changes in the body. When you sense danger or fear, the body reacts to the stress by releasing hormones, such as adrenaline. Adrenaline is the fuel behind the fight-or-flight response. Common physical frigophobia symptoms include:
- Abdominal upset or pain
- Chest pain, palpitations, or fast heart rate
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Sweating or clamminess
- Shaking, restlessness, weakness or numbness
SELF-CARE TIPS FOR PHOBIAS THAT BRING ON ANXIETY
- Talk to someone you trust.
- Learn to manage panic and anxiety.
- Look into joining a support group.
- Use self-help resources.
- Take a course for your specific phobia.
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