Tips on Phobia
You should be aware of your limits and those of other family members. You should discuss with your relative the fears and phobias that are affecting his/her life. It is very important not to belittle or put down the experiences and feelings that your relative is suffering.
It is absolutely essential that you obtain professional help on how the patient can be exposed to the thing or situation that he/she fears. This method is called desensitization. It must be done gradually and sensitively, with the advice of professionals. The aim of this therapy is to reduce or eliminate the fears and phobias that are preventing the patient from leading a normal life.
It is most important that you obtain all possible support. This will help you as well as your relative suffering from a phobia. Here are some examples how you can provide better help.
If you have agreed to meet somewhere at a certain time, it is important that you are there a little early or on time, so that your relative will not become needlessly anxious.
It is important that you allow the phobia sufferer to set her or his own pace for recovery, whilst at the same time encouraging her/him to move forward. Your goal is to encourage your relative to remain independent.
During your relative’s recovery period, you should remain positive and show your satisfaction with the progress achieved.
Don’t disparage or comment on issues that your relative cannot change.
You can give the support needed but the sufferer must also try hard while getting professional help with the problems being faced.
It is advisable that you yourself learn methods for relaxing and that you teach your relative to try them too.
Together with your relative, you should try to classify his or her fears, so that you can start working first of all on those that are least ‘fearful’. When your relative feels comfortable and is no longer affected by that particular fear, then work can start on the next fear. Ideally, during this process, you should never raise your voice, but act kindly and patiently to ensure rapid progress. This can also be helped if you continue to encourage your relative to be independent whenever possible.
While you are working hand-in-hand with your relative to overcome his/her fears one by one, he/she needs to be able to see you as a reliable person who can be trusted, someone who does things carefully and reasonably. Allow your relative to set the pace. Do not force him/her to overdo things or go faster than he/she is comfortable with.
It is important that you encourage your relative to be positive on the road to recovery. Praise and encourage him/her, without criticising or putting down. Give as much praise as possible but it is up to the patient to do his/her best to get over negative thoughts and behaviour and develop a more positive life style.
It is absolutely essential that you obtain professional help on how the patient can be exposed to the thing or situation that he/she fears. This method is called desensitization. It must be done gradually and sensitively, with the advice of professionals. The aim of this therapy is to reduce or eliminate the fears and phobias that are preventing the patient from leading a normal life.
It is most important that you obtain all possible support. This will help you as well as your relative suffering from a phobia. Here are some examples how you can provide better help.
If you have agreed to meet somewhere at a certain time, it is important that you are there a little early or on time, so that your relative will not become needlessly anxious.
It is important that you allow the phobia sufferer to set her or his own pace for recovery, whilst at the same time encouraging her/him to move forward. Your goal is to encourage your relative to remain independent.
During your relative’s recovery period, you should remain positive and show your satisfaction with the progress achieved.
Don’t disparage or comment on issues that your relative cannot change.
You can give the support needed but the sufferer must also try hard while getting professional help with the problems being faced.
It is advisable that you yourself learn methods for relaxing and that you teach your relative to try them too.
Together with your relative, you should try to classify his or her fears, so that you can start working first of all on those that are least ‘fearful’. When your relative feels comfortable and is no longer affected by that particular fear, then work can start on the next fear. Ideally, during this process, you should never raise your voice, but act kindly and patiently to ensure rapid progress. This can also be helped if you continue to encourage your relative to be independent whenever possible.
While you are working hand-in-hand with your relative to overcome his/her fears one by one, he/she needs to be able to see you as a reliable person who can be trusted, someone who does things carefully and reasonably. Allow your relative to set the pace. Do not force him/her to overdo things or go faster than he/she is comfortable with.
It is important that you encourage your relative to be positive on the road to recovery. Praise and encourage him/her, without criticising or putting down. Give as much praise as possible but it is up to the patient to do his/her best to get over negative thoughts and behaviour and develop a more positive life style.
