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Managing Your Specific Phobias And Panic Attacks
By Stan Popovich
Overcoming your phobias can sometimes be difficult. One of the ways to manage your
particular phobia is to find out what exactly is your fear. If you have trouble finding out
what that fear may be, then try to talk to a professional who can help you figure out what the
fear may be. Once you know what the fear is, then the next step is to find the ways to deal
with that fear.
For instance, one of the ways to manage your fear is to challenge your negative thinking with
positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your
fearful or anxious, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain
objectivity and common sense. For example, your afraid that if you do not get that job
promotion then you will be stuck at your job forever. This depresses you, however your
thinking in this situation is unrealistic. The fact of the matter is that there all are
kinds of jobs available and just because you don’t get this job promotion doesn’t mean that you
will never get one. In addition, people change jobs all the time, and you always have that
option of going elsewhere if you are unhappy at your present location. Changing your
thinking can help you manage your fears.
Sometimes, we may be nervous doing a certain task that may be scary. When this happens,
visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to
play in the championship hockey game in front of a large group of people in the next few
days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind.
Imagine that your playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind,
you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self Visualization is
a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.
When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task
into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time.
Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of
success.
As a layman, I realize it is not easy to overcome our phobias. Remember that sometimes our
worrying and fears can make the problem even worse. Take things in stride and try not focus
too much on the problem. In time, you will find the ways to overcome your phobia. If
you have trouble, talk to a professional who can give you additional insights on your
situation.
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