APPREHENSION, FEAR OR PHOBIA ?
By Ienke Keijzer



As therapists, we frequently encounter clients struggling with a wide range of fears and phobias. Conditions like agoraphobia, the fear of flying, claustrophobia, emetophobia (fear of vomiting), arachnophobia (fear of spiders), fear of needles, blood and lightning, and social phobia (fear of judgment) can significantly impact our clients' daily lives, hindering their happiness and overall well-being.

These fears often induce a spectrum of physiological responses, including palpitations, trembling, stomach ache, cold sweats, vomiting and panic attacks.

But how do we differentiate between normal fear, apprehension, and a full-blown phobia? Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective therapeutic intervention.

THE SPECTRUM OF FEAR

To clarify, let’s consider three primary degrees of fear:

1. Apprehension: A mild fear that is generally manageable.
   
   
2. Real Fear: A protective emotion that responds to genuine danger.
   
   
3. Phobia: An irrational fear that disrupts daily life and functioning.

APPREHENSION

Apprehension can manifest as a mild discomfort in certain situations, such as avoiding dogs or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. These small fears are common and generally manageable, allowing individuals to make conscious choices about how to approach or avoid situations.

For example, while someone might feel uneasy about encountering a spider, they likely won't experience excessive distress upon seeing one. They may choose to remove it or simply avoid the area where it was spotted.

REAL FEAR: A PROTECTIVE EMOTION

Real fear serves a vital purpose; it is an emotion hardwired into our brains designed to protect us from danger. When faced with a real threat — such as an aggressive individual or a venomous spider — our survival instincts kick in, triggering a fight-or-flight response.

This survival mechanism bypasses conscious thought and leads to instinctive reactions, which can be difficult to predict. In the face of imminent danger, our brain takes charge, determining how we will respond based on instinct rather than reason.

PHOBIA: THE PATHOLOGICAL FEAR

Phobias, on the other hand, occur when fear becomes disproportionate to the actual threat. This excessive and uncontrollable fear can manifest even in the absence of real danger, leading to panic attacks and significant distress.

For instance, individuals with arachnophobia may react intensely to the sight of a harmless spider, experiencing anxiety despite knowing it poses no real threat. Phobias can be debilitating, impacting not only the individual but also those around them.

UNDERSTANDING PHOBIAS

It's crucial to recognize that phobias are not merely a failure of willpower; they are the result of incorrect neural encoding in the brain. Much like a computer bug, this miswiring can cause an exaggerated emotional response to a benign stimulus.

The good news is that phobias can be effectively treated. By utilizing techniques like the NEMO Emotional Cleansing method, therapists can help clients reprogram these maladaptive responses, allowing them to overcome their fears and phobias.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NEMO EMOTIONAL CLEANSING

To delve deeper into the causes of phobias and excessive emotional reactions, I invite you to explore my book, Emotional Cleansing NEMO – How to Get Rid of Excessive Emotional Reactivities and Phobias.

Click here to order now!  This resource provides a thorough explanation of these phenomena and practical techniques to address them.

If you’re interested in integrating the NEMO method into your practice, I encourage you to consider my training sessions designed specifically for therapists. These sessions will empower you to guide your clients in overcoming their phobias and enhancing their emotional well-being.

I hope this article provides valuable insights. I welcome your thoughts and experiences with the NEMO Emotional Cleansing technique, whether as a client or a therapist. I always enjoy hearing from you!

 
Ienke Keijzer

Neuro Psycho Practitioner - Trainer of therapists and coaches - Author
Grandis Ose