A Phobia presents itself in a number of categories and is a source of fear and anxiety for a person.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos

Phobia of the Day: Botanophobia

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 presents itself in a number of categories and is a source of fear and anxiety for a person.

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: Botanophobia Fear of plants

Botanophobia is an intense fear of plants. People with botanophobia may believe that plants are harmful or dangerous and so avoid them. Severe cases can cause symptoms of anxiety and affect daily life. Treatments include exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, and anti-anxiety medications. A person with botanophobia may panic or experience some symptoms of anxiety when they think about or encounter a plant, such as:

  • Chills.
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness.
  • Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
  • Heart palpitations.
  • Nausea.
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
  • Trembling or shaking.

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.

RECENT PHOBIA WORD POSTS:

 Ombrophobia

Anemophobia

Androphobia

Escalaphobia

 Escalaphobia

Do you have a phobia you suffer from that you’d like to share?

If so, send an email to info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 and we’ll publish the ones that we feel are most interesting!

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