Overcoming a Phobia, Part 1
Did you know nearly 1 in 10 Americans wrestle with a phobia?
Germaphobia? That’s just one of many phobias. And guess what? You’re not alone. Whether it’s fear of heights, elevators, dentists, or thunderstorms, there’s a phobia for just about everything.
If you’ve got a phobia, take courage. With God’s help, you can overcome it.
In this two-part series, we’ll break down what phobias are, how they work, and how they show up. In Part Two, we’ll get into the biblical solutions that can help you conquer fear for good.
Phobias Galore!
The word “phobia” comes from the Greek phobos, meaning fear or terror. Hydrophobia? Fear of water. Aerophobia? Fear of flying. Glossophobia? Fear of public speaking.
In the Bible, phobos can mean awe or reverence (Acts 2:43), but it often refers to fear that pulls people away from God’s will. Like when the disciples freaked out after Jesus calmed the storm: “They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:41, NIV).
Types of Phobias
The DSM-5 (a medical guide for mental health conditions) categorizes phobias into three main groups:
Specific Phobias – Intense fear of one thing, like germs, heights, or dentists. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 9.1% of U.S. adults had a specific phobia in the past year, and 12.5% will experience one at some point.
Social Anxiety Disorder – The fear of embarrassment or being judged. Hate crowds? Dread eating in public in case you embarrass yourself? Public speaking makes you want to run? That’s social anxiety.
Agoraphobia – The heavyweight champion of phobias. This is the fear of being trapped in a place where escape feels impossible. Grocery stores, movie theaters, and public transport become no-go zones. Around 0.9% of U.S. adults deal with this, with severity levels ranging from mild (28.7%) to extreme (40.6%).
Signs You’ve Got a Phobia
A phobia can trigger anything from mild discomfort to full-blown panic attacks. Here’s what it might feel like:
Difficulty breathing
Racing heart
Chest tightness
Sweating
Trembling
Tingling in hands and feet
Nausea
On the emotional side, you might fear losing control or going crazy. The more symptoms, the stronger the fear—and the greater the chance of panic attacks.
I know this firsthand. My struggle with highway driving led to intense panic attacks—something I detail in my mini-book Help! I Get Panic Attacks.
Your Next Step
Tired of fear calling the shots? Let’s change that. I offer a free phone consultation to see if biblical counseling via Zoom is right for you. It’s effective, affordable, and convenient.
P.S. Get your Free Guide, 7 Keys to Panic Freedom here.