To get a real look at the phobic puzzle, we must first discard our traditional classification system, with its confusing Greek and Latin nomenclature. What we need is a simple, scientifically determined system that classifies phobias according to their underlying mechanisms, not their obvious triggers.
If we can do this, we will no longer have hundreds of labels leading us down an endless series of dead ends. Instead, we will have a system that classifies all phobias according to three key types. The first two types are as follows:
Type 1: REALISTIC PHOBIAS
Type 1 phobias develop after traumatic exposure to real and present danger. For example, one night, while walking down the street, a woman is brutally assaulted. This incident sticks in his mind and turns into an uncontrollable fear of walking the streets at night. Your phobia would be considered to have a realistic basis.
Here are some more examples of realistic phobias: a man develops a fear of knives after being stabbed; a woman develops a fear of horses after being thrown by one; a child develops a fear of flying insects after being stung by a swarm of bees, etc.
Type 2: NEUROTIC PHOBIA
Type 2 phobias develop “all in the mind”, through a series of subconscious or unconscious Freudian processes.
These phobias are generally related to some repressed childhood trauma, generally of sexual and / or aggressive origin, and are triggered by some symbolic reminder of that trauma during a current emotional conflict. An example here would be helpful.
The parents of a girl discover that she is masturbating and scold her severely. They scare her even more by warning her that girls who masturbate become prostitutes. This warning, and the fear associated with it, stays in the girl’s subconscious mind, remaining active and alive for many years. As a result, you are now vulnerable to developing phobias.
As this girl grows up, a series of sexual triggers can cause her fear and anxiety to resurface during a period of emotional stress. For example, she may be afraid of walking alone on the streets, as she unconsciously or unconsciously associates this “walking down the street” symbolically with the behavior of prostitutes. Or you may develop a fear of trains and cars, because you unconsciously or unconsciously view these objects as phallic or sexual symbols. All these fears would be considered to have a type 2 neurotic basis.
Notice in the examples I have given how completely different underlying mechanisms can result in the development of agoraphobia.
The traditional phobic classification system would have grouped agoraphobic type 1 and agoraphobic type 2 together because both women seem to fear the same thing. That system would also have meant that both women should be treated similarly.
But using our new classification system, it’s clear that these two women’s phobias are related in name only. It is also clear that each woman requires a completely different approach to treatment if she wants to overcome her phobia, an approach that depends on the specific underlying mechanisms that determine that phobia.
Does it all make perfect sense so far? Well. But one last giant piece to the phobic puzzle is still missing. You see, most doctors would probably agree that all phobias can be classified as Type 1, Type 2, or a combination of the two.
They would also agree that type 2 neurotic mechanisms probably account for the vast majority of all phobic behaviors, and type 1 realistic mechanisms represent only a small minority. But clinical evidence suggests that type 1 and type 2 mechanisms together may account for less than 10 percent of all phobic behavior!
What about the other 90 percent? They are type 3 phobias.
PHOBIAS TYPE 3: THE LOST LINK
Neurotic and realistic factors may be entirely responsible for some phobias and may contribute to others. But the vast majority of phobias can be attributed to a physiological problem: a malfunction of the inner ear system! The inner ear system plays an important role in modulating and controlling anxiety. On my blog see link below, I have discussed these issues further.
