Everyone experiences fear, whether it’s a fear of heights, spiders, or public speaking. But for some, these fears intensify to the point where they interfere with daily life. Such extreme fears are known as phobias and can have a significant impact on a person’s well-being.
Clinical Psychologist Rafiq Lockhat explains the difference between ordinary fear and a phobia.
“Fear is something you don’t like, like a cockroach, but you can still manage it. A phobia, however, is an irrational, terrifying response. Your brain goes into overdrive, and the logical part switches off while your fight-or-flight brain, the limbic system, takes control. You react instinctively, often in ways you later find embarrassing,” Lockhat said.
Phobias can develop from experiences over time or through learned responses and often require professional intervention for management. Treatments may include therapy, exposure techniques, and coping strategies to help individuals regain control and reduce the impact on their daily lives.
Listen to the full interview below:
VOC News
Photo: Pexels
