How do you overcome a phobia?

Question

I have three phobias : heights, birds (seriously), and DRIVING.. I want to overcome all of these, ESPECIALLY DRIVING because I don't want to rely on other people and public transportation my whole life : (

Answer 1

These are very common fears, many people have them, so you are not alone!
Time and bravery. If you have the time and money, therapy would be best if these are serious enough to you.
If you are like most people though, therapy is expensive, time-consuming, and scary. So, research phobias and anxiety. Find out the different things you can do without professional treatment. See if you can involve some trusted family and friends to help you.
In my own experience, facing the fear does help. All of the sudden, after twenty years of flying, I became terrified of airplanes. But, I had to travel so I sucked it up, and flew. It was not fun, but it became easier the next time, and better the time after that, until I was totally okay flying. Phobias are different for everybody though so research as much as you can.
Good luck:)

Answer 2

As stated above... Face your fears. But, do it safely. For heights, go into a very tall building with floor to ceiling windows. Make sure you have a buddy or two to help if things go rough. Work your way closer to the window until you can look down without vertigo.

For Birds; go to a pet store where the birds are always in cages. Gradually get closer til you can tolerate them.

For driving... that is a tougher one. Not because it is harder, but because it is hard to find areas to practice with no other cars around. Then graduate to side streets and byways with very light traffic until you are ready for busier streets and highways.

Answer 3

Your husband is right but only in a controlled condition and with help. do it in small steps and with the help of a therapist that is schooled in Cognitive Behavioral therapy. Most phobias can be overcome when we learn to deal with our fears.

Answer 4

Well if you're afraid of birds then get one as a pet. You will aventully get used to them. If you're afraid of driving get someone to drive you around, then pratice driving with someone next to you. Heights, clime up a small latter then clime up a bigger one.
It all takes time. You can't overcome your phobia, but i think you can be less scared of it. Hopes this helps.

Answer 5

best way to deal with phobias are to face them...maybe by systematic desensitization (slowly build up to being able to face them or deal with them).

For example, with any of your phobias, you may start just thinking about the object, then think about encountering the object, then look at a picture, then come into contact with object (this is just a rough outline)

For driving (altho it may work with the other phobias as well), I think the best way is to get yourself in a situation where you HAVE to drive....when it is the necessity, you may forget your fears and just deal with it.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Phobias are something we all share. MY daddy once told me that there is no reason to be affraid of anything because if your meant to die in a plane crash.....even if you dont get on the plane it can always come down and land on your head....I'm not making light of your fears...just letting you know that its all planned out and there is nothing to fear.

Answer 7

theres a thing i learned about called gradual exposure therapy. first you need to think about your fear, be scared and have some psychologocal anxiety , then do a calming excersise. then look at a picture of what you fear,.. be scared... calming.. then look at the thign you fear in real life,,,, then touch it, then no longer be afraid of it. this process is much more gradual than i described, and it takes months. i suggest you see a therapist. Their methods actually work, and its been proven that this method works.

Answer 8

Cognitive-behavioral therapy works great for phobias. Check it out online.

Answer 9

Use virtual reality, because the brain doesn't know the difference between reality and not.

Answer 10

long process--mostly phobia are un conscious--difficult to explore un conscious--it is only a good psycho analyst can do it---or by behavor therapy you can overcome it