e effects of Phobias. Phobias can have a devastating effect on a person. One of these effects is physical. When a person with a phobia is confronted with a situation that frightens them, they become anxious. They start to breath more rapidly and deeply. Their hands start shaking. Their palms start sweating. Their legs feel like rubber and can’t move. These are real physical effects that a person with a phobia can’t control. There is also mental effects for a person with a phobia. They feel helpless and insecure. They feel lonely and out of step with the rest of the world. Phobias can have an effect on a persons lifestyle. The most extreme example would be of a person afraid of open spaces not being able to leave their home. A person afraid of dogs might not be a door to door salesperson or would not want to expose themselves to any situation where a dog might be. Phobias can be devastating for the person who has one.The last area to explore is the treatment of Phobias. David G. Myers states "Instead of trying to alleviate distressing behaviors by resolving a presumed underlying problem, behavior therapy applies well-established learning principles to eliminate the unwanted behavior. To treat phobias or sexual disorders, behavior therapists do not delve deep below the surface looking for inner causes. Rather, they try to replace problem thoughts and maladaptive behaviors with more constructive ways of thinking and acting" (466). Myers defines Counterconditioning as "a behavior therapy procedure that conditions new responses to stimuli that trigger unwanted behaviors; based on classical conditioning. Includes systematic desensitization and aversive conditioning" (467). Systematic desensitization associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimulation. Systematic desensitization is commonly used in the treatment of phobias. The patient gradually replaces fear with pleasu...
