WHAT IS A PHOBIA?
AND WHY DO WE HAVE PHOBIAS ? 

by Ienke Keijzer

What is a phobia and why do we have them ?

By Ienke Keijzer

As therapists we often encounter clients who grapple with unexplained fears, intense emotional reactions or debilitating phobias. They mention clammy hands when they drive on the highway, or an overwhelming fear when speaking in public. Perhaps they even faint at the sight of blood. 

These experiences are not just uncomfortable; they indicate underlying phobias or excessive emotional reactivity.

UNDERSTANDING PHOBIAS AND EMOTIONAL REACTIONS

Phobias and intense emotional reactions are surprisingly common, affecting nearly everyone at one point. They can lead to significant distress and hinder daily functioning.

There are over 500 identified phobias — ranging from well-known ones like arachnophobia (fear of spiders) to more specific ones, such as hematophobia (fear of blood).

But what exactly constitutes a phobia, and why do we experience such extreme emotional reactions? 

WHAT IS A PHOBIA?

In simple terms, a phobia is characterized by:
     

• An excessive emotional reaction to a situation that does not warrant such intensity.
• An emotional over- or underreaction to a relatively normal circumstance.
• A source of suffering that makes life more challenging than it needs to be.
• An obstacle that prevents individuals from living the fulfilling life they desire.

Unless someone is facing a genuinely dangerous situation, like encountering a venomous spider, experiencing extreme fear seems unwarranted. Yet, many people do.

TYPES OF PHOBIAS

Phobias can manifest in various forms, from common fears like public speaking or heights to more complex issues such as excessive shyness, unhealthy jealousy, panic attacks, fear of success or failure, and procrastination. Essentially, any excessive emotional reaction can be classified as a phobia.

While many believe they understand the origins of their phobia, often linking it to a past experience, research indicates that in 99% of cases, the true cause  lies in a miswiring within the brain, rather than the specific event itself.

WHY DO WE HAVE PHOBIAS?

Phobias originate from incorrect neural encoding in the brain. An emotional overreaction in a specific situation signals that a past traumatic event has been encoded with a negative emotional charge. This encoding acts as an "alarm button," triggering survival instincts and bypassing logical reasoning.

THE BRAIN'S ENCODING PROCESS

Our brains store every experience as sensory perceptions — visual (images), auditory (sounds), kinesthetic (sensations), olfactory (smell), and gustatory (taste). This process, known as VAKOG in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), creates countless neural codes in our memory.

During the formative years, particularly from the prenatal stages to around five years old, children encounter events that they perceive as traumatic. These events might seem minor to adults but can feel life-threatening to a child. The brain encodes these experiences with a negative emotional charge.

CATHARSIS – THE NATURAL EMOTIONAL CLEANSING PROCESS

Unnder normal circumstances, a natural emotional cleansing process known as catharsis removes this negative charge before memories are stored. However, this process may fail at times, leaving the traumatic encoding intact. When the brain later detects a similar situation, it triggers the "alarm button," resulting in an irrational, excessive emotional responses.

HOW TO GET RID OF A PHOBIA

Fortunately, it's possible to reprogram these neural encodings and eliminate phobias and other forms of excessive emotional reactivity. The NEMO Emotional Cleansing technique, which I specialize in, often resolves long-standing phobias in a single session. This approach accesses the reptilian brain (our survival instinct) through physical sensations, allowing for reprogramming of neural connections without requiring specific beliefs.

RESETTING THE EMOTIONAL REGULATOR

NEMO Emotional Cleansing resets the brain's emotional regulator. Instead of reacting with exaggerated emotions, the brains will respond appropriately to life's events. This process does not eliminate emotions; rather, it ensures they are proportional to the situation. Emotions are vital components in our humanity, and it is essential to recognize their role in our lives.

YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE NEMO EMOTIONAL CLEANSING? 

To gain a deeper understanding of phobias and the NEMO Emotional Cleansing technique, I invite you to read my book "NEMO Emotional Cleansing – How to put an end to excessive emotional reactivities and phobias" (2017) This resource provides clear, practical insights and included a complete transcript of a NEMO session, making it easy to apply in practice.

"A very clear, complete and easy-to-read book. The technique is easy to practice, and

the transcript of a complete NEMO session at the end is very helpful.

Though it seemed too good to be true, I've tested it and the results are great!

I'm no longer afraid of snakes, and it was a significant phobia for me.”

Nathalie – France

Additionally, consider exploring my specialized training sessions tailored for therapists. These sessions will equip you with the skills to integrate the NEMO technique into your practice, empowering you to help clients overcome their phobias and emotional challenges.

I hope this article serves as a valuable resource for you. I welcome any thoughts or experiences you may wish to share regarding the NEMO Emotional Cleansing technique, whether from a client or therapist perspective. I always enjoy hearing from you!

Ienke Keijzer

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