Thanks for bringing out a subject that many people do not understand. It is normal to feel fear and everyone knows what fear feels like. But phobia's are based on a irrational fear; that is a fear when there is no physical threat present, just a mental threat. It's an exaggerated fear. So the fear has just gotten exaggerated and more intense than the more subtle human reactions we all have. The good news is that phobia's are perhaps the most treatable of all anxiety disorders! People sometimes suffer needlessly for long periods of time with these disorders and some never find the help they need. De-sensitization is the key for treating phobia's. The problem is that it is very difficul...

Thanks for bringing out a subject that many people do not understand. It is normal to feel fear and everyone knows what fear feels like. But phobia's are based on a irrational fear; that is a fear when there is no physical threat present, just a mental threat. It's an exaggerated fear. So the fear has just gotten exaggerated and more intense than the more subtle human reactions we all have. The good news is that phobia's are perhaps the most treatable of all anxiety disorders! People sometimes suffer needlessly for long periods of time with these disorders and some never find the help they need. De-sensitization is the key for treating phobia's. The problem is that it is very difficult to get a phobic to quit avoiding situations that make them feel uncomfortable, and treatment is going to make them face situations they don't like facing in order to get better. In other words, doing the thing you are fearful of actually makes the fear less powerful. One key question to ask oneself before seeking treatment is does my fear keep me from being able to do what I need to do to be productive person or does it keep me from enjoyment of my life? If the answer is no, then a particular fear, even if intense isn't a problem.
A great clip from one of the best clippers on CM