Fear can be protective in certain situations, but what do you do when it becomes a daily hindrance? Is it really possible to overcome your own phobia? An overview of solutions with Antoine Pelisolo, psychiatrist and author of the book Misconceptions about phobias (Ed Blue Rider).
Facing Your Fears Is It Helpful?
When we talk about treating your phobia, we often say that you have to face your fear head on. Does treatment always have to go through some kind of desensitization? “Most of the time, all the fears we might have, we end up confronting them. But it’s true that there is a learning problem. Phobias are overly learned fears. They have to be deprogrammed by desensitization,” explains the psychiatrist.
Phobia: double fear
Exactly how long does it take to overcome your phobia? “It depends on the phobia. The simplest phobias are usually animals or the dark. These can last very quickly in a few sessions.” In contrast, phobias such as agoraphobia are more complex when it comes to treatment. He insists, “There are often other traumas behind this kind of fear. It will be a little longer, but it’s still a story for a few months. All phobias are cured.”
Virtual reality to conquer your fears
Until Antoine Belisulu uses Virtual reality to treat his patients. “Thanks to immersion in virtual reality glasses, we see everything in three dimensions and above all, we can interact. You can walk in a zoo where there are animals. Or take a plane for those who have this phobia. It is for the things that you cannot do every day, as he says.
He advised the psychiatrist not to take medications to overcome his phobia. “It’s a bad solution because it doesn’t work in the long term. In addition, there is often a concern that these anxiolytics develop some form of dependence in the patient.” If your phobia is ruining your life, Antoine Belisolo strongly advises you to consult a professional because any major fear can be treated.
