What is the difference between phobia and trauma, What are their symptoms, causes, and effective treatment methods, A phobia is defined as an intense and irrational fear of a specific thing.
Trauma, on the other hand, is a psychological response to a painful or life-threatening event resulting from a real traumatic experience. We will learn about the difference between them and effective treatment methods.
What is a phobia
A phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specific situation or thing that affects the sufferer's life and causes them to avoid it.
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. The sufferer realizes that their fear is unjustified but is unable to control it.
What is trauma
Trauma, which is psychological shock, is a strong psychological and emotional response to a painful or traumatic experience, such as being exposed to an accident or losing a loved one.
Trauma requires professional help to overcome it, as persistent symptoms can lead to other psychological disorders.
Symptoms of Phobias and Trauma
Physical and psychological symptoms that indicate a phobia include:
- Increased heartbeat or palpitations.
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling of suffocation.
- Excessive sweating.
- Goosebumps.
- Shivering.
- Dizziness.
- Feeling faint.
- Chest pain.
- Upset stomach or nausea.
Symptoms of trauma include:
- Recurring painful memories and nightmares.
- Avoiding things that remind the person of the event, whether places or people.
- Extreme anxiety and fear.
- Inability to accept what happened.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Feeling angry.
- Insomnia and sleep problems.
- Detachment from reality.
What are the causes of phobias
Common causes of phobias include:
- Negative experiences through exposure to a painful or traumatic experience in the past.
- Learned behavior through observing fearful reactions in others, especially in childhood.
- Following an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking or excessive caffeine consumption.
- Major events, such as the loss of a loved one.
- Stress and tension.
Causes of Trauma
Trauma occurs as a result of exposure to painful or traumatic experiences, such as:
- Traffic accidents.
- Sexual assault.
- Natural disasters.
- War.
- The loss of a loved one.
- Childhood neglect.
Types of Phobias
There are several types of phobias that people experience:
- Animophobia An extreme fear of certain animals, such as dogs, cats, or insects.
- A phobia of natural elements, such as heights, storms, or water.
- A situational phobia: A fear of certain situations, such as riding in an elevator or airplane.
- A phobia of blood and needles.
What is the difference between phobias and trauma
A phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a specific thing, while trauma, also known as psychological shock, is a psychological response to a painful or life-threatening event.
Phobia Treatment
Treatment for phobias depends on the symptoms the patient is experiencing. The treatment aims to alleviate the trauma experienced by the affected person and treat the resulting symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Effective treatment methods include:
- Psychotherapy is the first step in treating psychological trauma.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective method for reducing and treating the effects of psychological trauma.
- Eye movement therapy is an effective treatment for psychological trauma by helping the person overcome memories of psychological trauma.
Trauma Treatment
The treating physician primarily prescribes the following medications to treat trauma, including:
- Antidepressants.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder medications such as sertraline and paroxetine.
- Anxiety medications such as lorazepam and diazepam, which are used for short periods to relieve severe anxiety.
- Sleep aids such as mirtazapine.
Therapeutic Advice for Trauma Cases
The following tips can help alleviate psychological trauma and help overcome it, including:
- Avoid social isolation and try to engage in life through work and spending time with family and friends.
- Patience and taking the time to process negative feelings and get rid of them over time.
- Practicing your favorite hobbies.
- Following a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods.
- Exercise regularly.
- Getting enough sleep.
- Avoiding alcohol or drug use.
Is phobia a mental illness
Yes, phobia is a mental illness and a type of anxiety disorder. A phobia describes a persistent fear of a specific object or situation. The sufferer realizes that their fear is unjustified but is unable to control it.
Summary of the difference between phobia and trauma
A phobia is defined as an intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance of the feared object. It is a type of anxiety disorder.
Trauma, on the other hand, is a psychological response to a painful event resulting from a real traumatic experience. It may persist and permanently impact a person's life and requires treatment.