Phobias Blog

The fear of smells, or osmophobia, is surprisingly common in those who suffer from migraines, but is relatively rare on its own. The sense of smell is extremely personalized, making it difficult to predict what an individual's triggers might be. Osmophobia responds well to standard phobia treatments, but those with migraines should always consult with their medical doctor to avoid worsening the headaches. Learn more about this complicated phobia.

Rare enough that it lacks an official title, the fear of submerged objects actually encompasses a wide range of specific phobias, from the fear of underwater animals to the fear of submarines. While it is prudent and reasonable to use caution when boating or swimming in unfamiliar waterways, those with a fear of submerged objects take this natural fear too far. Have a look at the variety of phobias that fall under this general heading.

According to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and statistical manual, 4th edition) animal phobias are considered a subset of specific phobias. Though it is possible to fear any animal at all, some animal phobias are significantly more common than others. Most animal phobias fall into three loosely defined unofficial categories: predators, disgusting animals, and animals that factor heavily into common superstitions. Find out why we are so much more likely to fear some animals rather than others!

Are you afraid of any animals? Your thoughts are welcome!

Risk aversion is most often thought of in terms of finance or economics, and occasionally in game theory. But risk aversion impacts all aspects of our daily lives. People who are unusually risk averse may experience particular challenges in phobia treatment, as they are reluctant to take the leap of faith that many treatment methods require. Although risk aversion is not generally considered a disorder, it is a factor that must be considered during any mental health treatment.

Of all the clinical skills required of a good therapist, empathy is arguably one of the most confusing. Empathy, or the ability to fully understand where someone is coming from, is often confused with sympathy, or acknowledgement of another person's negative feelings. While empathy is crucial to the client-therapist relationship, sympathy can actually do more harm than good in a clinical setting.

Does your therapist have good empathy skills? Do you feel that this helps your professional relationship?

Monsters play a huge role in horror films, novels and Halloween events around the world. Despite their popularity, however, most of us agree that monstrous creatures do not actually exist. Yet a surprising number of normal, intelligent people have a phobia of one or more types of monsters. From vampires to zombies, and ghosts to demons, here is a roundup of common monster phobias.

Are you afraid of monsters? Which creature scares you the most? As always, your opinions are appreciated!

Physical phobias include all phobias related to the human body. Although it is possible to develop a fear of anything, some physical phobias are more common than others. Physical phobias are often, though not always, related to other mental health disorders including a wide range of other phobias. Here's a look at some relatively common physical phobias.

Do you have a fear related to your body? How are you coping with it? Share your tips and insights here!

Fears of moving our bodies in specific ways are sometimes caused by medical conditions such as arthritis or joint pain. But many otherwise healthy adults are afraid of moving around. Those who suffer from social anxiety, OCD or other disorders may be at particular risk, but movement related phobias sometimes develop on their own. What are the most common movement related phobias and how can you overcome them?

Do you suffer from a fear of moving around? Share your thoughts here!

Friday the 13th is shrouded in mystery and ancient lore. Did you know that although the fear of the number 13 dates back to pre-Christian times, the fear of Friday the 13th seems to have originated in the 20th century? Have a look at more facts behind this common fear.

Based on the concept of unconditional positive regard, client-centered therapy was developed by humanist psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940s. Client-centered therapy remains highly popular today. The system allows a great deal of individual flexibility, allowing therapists to tailor sessions to individual client needs. But no matter which techniques are used, client-centered therapy always follows a basic set of ideals. Find out what they are, then stop by to leave your comments and thoughts!