Why do people have phobias? (Essay Sample)

Why do people have phobias?
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Why do people have phobias
Introduction and background
Introduction
Hypothesis: people have phobias because of genetic aspects, repressed fears, and environmental factors. Phobias are referred to as intense, unrealistic fear of objects and situations that creates high levels of anxiety. They are typically maladaptive responses to excessive fear. Phobias fall into four groups namely animal, environmental, body, and situational phobias. People with phobia try to avert the fear scenarios by averting the things that trigger the fear or enduring it anxiously. There are three types of phobia. The specific phobias entail the fear of a specified entity. The social phobias entail the fear of particular social situations. For instance, a person may be extremely nervous when giving a public lecture. Lastly, agoraphobia refers to the fear of being in public spaces.
Understanding the topic of phobias is essential as phobia is a sensitive mental disorder whose impacts on individuals are deep-rooted. Reports cite that at least, an estimated 18 million Americans suffer from a certain phobia that affects a certain aspect of their lives. Most of these people are unable to do anything about their fears hence have their lives eclipsed by this unresolved problem. Besides, minimal research has been documented with regard to this particular problem. Thus, the topic is important in helping individuals in understanding the situation and types of phobias that they face so that they can work on remedying the situation. Phobias have far-reaching mental and social problems, thus are a critical tenet of discussion in the world of medicine. It is also important to discuss the issue of phobias as it encourages acceptance and understanding of the issue that has for the longest time being brushed off, despite its grave effects (Steinhausen, 2020). For instance, children suffering from such phobias barely get the medical attention because they end up suppressing their issue through isolation and avoidance of school. By understanding the types of phobias and the associated impacts, individuals can be in a position identify the problem before it escalates and seek the appropriate medical attention. Also, the topic is important in devising the proper medical procedures that can be used in alleviating the disease. A deeper understanding of the correlation between the individual and the origin of the fear can be pivotal in aiding researches geared towards the treatment of the illness.
Background
The biological dynamic associates phobia with genetic factors, the principle of biochemistry, and innate influences. According to this theory, an oversensitive response to fear may be occasioned by hereditary factors that may cause abnormal anxiety levels. A 2002 study carried out by Kendler et al. concluded that genetic risk factors play a pivotal role in the etiology of phobias and the associated fears. The authors indicate that phobias are familial. Indeed, “twin studies of self-reported fears consistently have suggested a significant role for genetic factors” (Kendler et al, 2002, p.8). Excessive phobia can be passed down a generation as a genetic trait. Parents who indicated phobic episodes such as anxious temperaments, and traumatic experiences played ended up having children who indicated the same characteristics. A related study conducted by Hardan (2009) indicated that a parental history of phobic disorders such as trauma and anxious temperaments is directly related to the phobic disorder of the child. Other researches have concluded that genetic factors contribute to approximately 65 percent of all the cases.
Another approach for understanding the source of phobia is the psychodynamic approach. A related study done by Garcia,(2017) indicate that, 11 percent of the total phobia cases in schools had a parental history of anxiety disorder. Psychologists tend to believe that some phobias are caused by repressed fears which stem from childhood. The fearful memories and thoughts that are too painful to acknowledge consciously eventually develop into the phobias(Garcia, 2017). To understand this aspect well, psychologists linked the conscious thoughts and actions to what happens in the unconscious mind (Garcia, 2017). For that, the repressed emotional events of the past end up traumatizing people in their present lives upon triggering.
Environmental factors trigger phobia when an individual experiences a particular frightening experience that throw them out of control. These are the most commonplace experiences seeing as there are many triggers that are associated with the environment. A recent research concluded that “perceived parental rearing behaviors and their potential role in the etiology of anxiety disorders” (Brown & Schmidt, 2008, p.125). The research cites that factors such as religion, culture, upbringing, and daily life experiences play a role in triggering particular phobias in individual. A related study by Czajkowski et al., (2011) cited that fears such as those related to drops of blood are both environmental and genetic.
Body and discussion
The results of the research shape the current understanding of the issue of phobia as they offer insights regarding the severity and prevalence of the disease in the society today. The empirical data used in the study helps the reader identify with phobia and appreciate it as a real mental and psychological disorder that requires. Also, the research helps readers understand phobia within the broad environmental, genetic, and psychosocial contexts.
The research is extremely relevant in today’s world as it provides directions regarding the future models which can be used in treating the patient based on the specific exposure. Definitively, a large proportion of the population continues to suffer from phobic situations while unaware of the remedies available. This study places phobia in the context of today’s leading mental cases while raising public concern regarding its rising prevalence. The research designates that social cognitive theory can be used in treating phobias by using a mix of social and adaptive tools to reverse the mental situation previously created.
The study of phobias attracts several unanswered questions and controversies leading to the need for additional research in the future. The field regarding the relationship between specific ph