The fear is real, even when the danger is not

You may know logically that the plane is designed to fly.

You may know the dentist is there to help, the road is familiar or the needle will only be there for a few seconds.

You may even tell yourself repeatedly that there is nothing to worry about.

And yet your body may respond as though something terrible is about to happen.

Your heart races. Your breathing changes. Your stomach tightens. You may feel shaky, nauseous or desperate to escape.

This is what makes fears and phobias so confusing. One part of you knows that you are probably safe, while another part reacts as though an emergency is already happening.

The fear is real, even when the danger is not.

Why does my body react with fear when I know I am safe?

Fear is part of the mind’s natural protection system.

When your mind identifies something as a possible threat, it prepares your body to respond. This may be useful when genuine danger is present, but the unconscious mind can also react to something remembered, anticipated or imagined.

Perhaps you once experienced severe turbulence, felt trapped during a dental procedure or had a panic attack while driving.

The original experience may have passed, but your unconscious mind remembers the feeling connected with it. When something similar happens, or is expected to happen, it may sound the alarm again.

Your logical mind may be saying, “I know I am safe,” but the unconscious response has already begun.

That is why telling someone to “just calm down” rarely helps. They may already understand that the reaction seems out of proportion. The response is automatic rather than a conscious decision.

Where do fears and phobias come from?

Sometimes people know exactly where a fear began.

It may have followed a frightening flight, a painful medical procedure, a collision, a near miss or becoming unwell in public.

At other times, the origin is less obvious.

A fear may be influenced by something you witnessed, something somebody repeatedly told you or an outcome you imagined so vividly that your body began responding to the possibility of it.

You do not always need a clear memory of the beginning for the response to feel powerful now.

The unconscious mind learns through association. Once it connects a particular situation, sensation or place with danger, it may continue using that connection long after the original experience has passed.

Why can a phobia begin before the event happens?

Many people are not only frightened by the event itself. They are frightened by the anticipation of it.

The anxiety may start days before a flight, while waiting for a dental appointment or before getting into the car.

Your mind begins creating possible outcomes.

What if I panic?

What if I cannot leave?

What if I lose control?

What if I feel sick?

The body can respond to those imagined situations as though they are already happening. This is why somebody may experience intense physical anxiety while sitting safely at home.

Can driving anxiety appear suddenly?

Driving anxiety can develop after an accident or near miss, but it does not have to begin that way.

It may follow a panic attack in the car, breaking down, becoming lost, feeling trapped in traffic or driving during a particularly stressful period.

Someone who previously drove confidently may suddenly begin avoiding motorways, bridges, busy roundabouts or unfamiliar routes.

The fear may not be about driving ability at all. It may centre on becoming unwell, losing control, being unable to pull over or experiencing another panic attack.

I explore this in more detail in Driving Anxiety: Why It Happens and How Confidence Returns.

Why am I frightened of flying when I know it is safe?

Fear of flying is not always simply a fear that the aircraft will crash.

For some people, it is the turbulence. For others, it is the lack of control, the enclosed space, being unable to leave or worrying about having a panic attack in front of other passengers.

Facts about aviation may reassure the logical mind, but information alone does not always change an unconscious emotional response.

This is why someone can understand how aircraft work and still experience fear weeks before the flight. I explain this further in Fear of Flying Hypnotherapy: Why It Works and What to Expect.

What is emetophobia?

Emetophobia is an intense fear of being sick, feeling nauseous or seeing somebody else vomit.

For some people, the fear centres on vomiting itself. For others, it is the possibility of becoming unwell in public, losing control or being unable to escape.

It can influence food choices, eating away from home, travelling, socialising and contact with anybody who may be unwell.

A small sensation in the stomach or hearing that somebody has a sickness bug may be enough to activate the fear response.

The person is not choosing to overreact. Their unconscious mind has interpreted the possibility of sickness as an immediate threat.

Why can avoiding a fear make it stronger?

Avoidance often brings immediate relief.

You cancel the appointment, take a different road, leave the restaurant or decide not to fly. The anxiety reduces, so the unconscious mind may conclude that avoiding the situation kept you safe.

The next time the situation appears, the alarm may become even louder.

As more situations are avoided, someone’s world can gradually become smaller. The short-term relief can begin affecting travel, relationships, health appointments, work and everyday freedom.

This pattern is explored further in Why Avoidance Works Until It Starts Shrinking Your Life.

Can hypnotherapy help with fears and phobias?

Hypnotherapy aims to work with the unconscious associations and automatic responses connected with the fear.

The purpose is not to convince you that genuine danger never exists. It is to help your mind recognise the difference between an actual threat and an alarm responding to a memory, expectation or learned association.

The work is personal because the same phobia can have very different meanings for different people.

One person’s fear of flying may be connected with turbulence. Another person may fear enclosed spaces or becoming unwell.

One person’s driving anxiety may relate to an accident. Another may be frightened of panicking while unable to pull over.

You do not necessarily need to know exactly where the fear started, and hypnotherapy does not always require you to revisit every detail of the past. 

You can read more about this in How Hypnotherapy Works Without Rehashing the Past.

If you would like to find out more- book a free no obligation consultation call here 

Frequently asked questions about fears, phobias and hypnotherapy

Is my fear real even when the situation is safe?

Yes. The emotional and physical response is real, even when there is no immediate danger. Your body may be responding to what the unconscious mind remembers or expects rather than what is happening now.

Can a phobia develop without a traumatic experience?

Yes. A fear may develop through something witnessed, heard, imagined or gradually associated with danger. Some people cannot identify one particular event that caused it.

Can driving anxiety happen without an accident?

Yes. Driving anxiety may develop after a panic attack, a stressful journey, a breakdown, a long break from driving or a fear of losing control or becoming unwell.

What is emetophobia?

Emetophobia is an intense fear of vomiting, feeling nauseous or seeing another person being sick. It may begin affecting food, travel, social activities and ordinary physical sensations.

Do I need to know what caused my phobia?

No. Some people know exactly where their fear began, while others do not. It may still be possible to work with the response you experience now.

Will I lose control during hypnotherapy?

No. You remain aware and in control throughout the session. You can speak, move or stop at any time.

Will I be asleep during hypnosis?

Usually not. You may feel deeply relaxed, but most people remain conscious and aware of what is happening.

What does hypnotherapy feel like?

People experience it differently. Some feel physically relaxed, while others mainly notice that their attention becomes quieter and more focused.

Will I have to relive the frightening experience?

Not necessarily. You should not have to recount or relive every distressing detail for hypnotherapy to be helpful.

Can hypnotherapy take place online?

Yes. Online hypnotherapy can take place through a private video appointment when you have a quiet, comfortable space and a reliable internet connection.

Is a fear or phobia restricting your life?

Perhaps you are avoiding driving, flying, dental treatment, medical appointments, certain foods or situations where you fear feeling trapped or unwell.

You do not need to know exactly where the fear began before asking for help.

Phoenix Hypnotherapy offers a free online consultation with no commitment required. It gives you the opportunity to explain what has been happening, ask questions about hypnotherapy and decide whether working together feels right for you.

Book your free consultation.