21/11/2025
A phobia is more than just an intense fear; it’s a full-body response that happens automatically when the brain believes you’re in danger. Even when you know logically that something isn’t harmful, your nervous system reacts as if you are in danger.
Physically, the body moves fast when a phobia is triggered. The heart rate increases, breathing becomes shallow or rapid, and you might start to shake or sweat as adrenaline floods your system. Some people experience dizziness, nausea, or a dry mouth, while others feel a rush of heat, cold, or tingling through their body. You may also feel an overwhelming need to move away or escape, even when you know the situation doesn’t actually pose a threat.
Emotionally, the experience can range from dread to sheer panic. Some people describe feeling detached or frozen, and being unable to move or think clearly. The mind can go blank or race with catastrophic thoughts, and these reactions can start long before the trigger itself, creating a sense of anticipatory anxiety that keeps the fear alive.
Over time, many people begin to organise their lives around avoiding triggers. They might change routines, avoid certain places, or rely on “safety behaviours,” such as carrying something that makes them feel secure or needing someone else to come with them. While these actions can bring temporary relief, they often reinforce the phobic pattern, convincing the brain that avoidance equals safety.
These learned responses that your body has built to protect you are patterns that the nervous system repeats until it’s shown another way to respond. Once you understand what’s happening inside your system, you can start to retrain it and help the body learn to feel safe again.
If you’re struggling with a phobia that’s preventing you from enjoying life, get in touch via my website. I’m here to help: https://bit.ly/3wCPJTn
