Helping Patients Manage Phobias That Flare Up While On Vacation - Sally W.
Healthline.com reports that as of the latest data, an estimated 19.2 million American adults face one or more specific phobias.¹ The subject of these phobias can either affect an individual on rare occasions, or on a daily basis. One instance in which your patients may feel even more distress related to their phobias is when these fears pop up while on vacation. Instead of taking time off to rest, recharge and have fun, specific phobias can make each of these goals impossible. In addition to the use of active listening and other basic counseling techniques, explore some of the top ways to treat phobias that can flare up while individuals are traveling.
Dealing with the fear of travel itself
The act of traveling has the potential to trigger numerous kinds of fears. For example, those who experience motion sickness can become anxious and hyper focused on ways to prevent the illness.² They may even avoid fun activities so that they do not develop the nausea associated with the condition. However, when the focus of one’s phobia is the actual act of traveling, it is known as hodophobia. Leaving one’s home or using certain modes of transportation can lead to symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, headaches and digestive issues.³ The latest research has shown that several treatment methods are particularly effective for patients with hodophobia. The first is anti-anxiety medication. When taken before a trip, mental health professionals have found that certain prescriptions have a high level of efficacy in treating hodophobia symptoms. In conjunction with medication, therapy techniques can further help patients cope. More specifically, exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are particularly useful.
Extreme fear of water
Whether traveling in summer or winter, some of the most ideal travel destinations involve some level of exposure to water. From visiting gorgeous beaches to swimming at the resort pool, water is everywhere. For individuals who have a phobia of water (aquaphobia), this prospect can feel like a nightmare. Just the sight of water can prompt symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, a tight feeling in the chest, and intense fear and anxiety. The Mayo Clinic reports that aquaphobia most frequently occurs as a result of a traumatic experience with water in childhood. The condition can also be caused by multiple negative experiences with water (that were not traumatic), or it can be an inherited condition. Rather than prescribing medication right away, researchers have found that CBT and/or exposure therapy are the best ways to overcome the phobia.
Coping with busy and tight spaces
Unless an individual plans to travel to a remote spot, popular travel destinations can quickly trigger symptoms of claustrophobia (the extreme fear of crowded or small spaces). Theme parks, concerts, shopping complexes and cruise ships can all cause the condition to flare up. Unfortunately, this can severely limit vacation options for those with claustrophobia. To help give patients coping techniques that allow them to better handle busy/small spaces, there are multiple effective techniques that counselors and therapists can employ. Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), visualization and medication can actually help people recover from the phobia.⁴ If full recovery is not achieved, many patients go on to better manage the intensity and duration of their symptoms.
Having the ability to relax and enjoy time off is extremely important for all individuals. While this goal may be a massive challenge for people with specific phobias, the techniques described can help lead to positive short and long-term outcomes for patients.
Resources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/aquaphobia, Healthline, September 10, 2019
https://www.riverranchboats.com/prevent-motion-sickness/, River Ranch Boats, September 10, 2019
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-fear-of-travel-2671901, Very Well Mind, June 4, 2019
https://www.mindful.org/a-mindfulness-practice-for-facing-your-fears/, Mindful, July 3, 2014
Dealing with the fear of travel itself
The act of traveling has the potential to trigger numerous kinds of fears. For example, those who experience motion sickness can become anxious and hyper focused on ways to prevent the illness.² They may even avoid fun activities so that they do not develop the nausea associated with the condition. However, when the focus of one’s phobia is the actual act of traveling, it is known as hodophobia. Leaving one’s home or using certain modes of transportation can lead to symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, headaches and digestive issues.³ The latest research has shown that several treatment methods are particularly effective for patients with hodophobia. The first is anti-anxiety medication. When taken before a trip, mental health professionals have found that certain prescriptions have a high level of efficacy in treating hodophobia symptoms. In conjunction with medication, therapy techniques can further help patients cope. More specifically, exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are particularly useful.
Extreme fear of water
Whether traveling in summer or winter, some of the most ideal travel destinations involve some level of exposure to water. From visiting gorgeous beaches to swimming at the resort pool, water is everywhere. For individuals who have a phobia of water (aquaphobia), this prospect can feel like a nightmare. Just the sight of water can prompt symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, a tight feeling in the chest, and intense fear and anxiety. The Mayo Clinic reports that aquaphobia most frequently occurs as a result of a traumatic experience with water in childhood. The condition can also be caused by multiple negative experiences with water (that were not traumatic), or it can be an inherited condition. Rather than prescribing medication right away, researchers have found that CBT and/or exposure therapy are the best ways to overcome the phobia.
Coping with busy and tight spaces
Unless an individual plans to travel to a remote spot, popular travel destinations can quickly trigger symptoms of claustrophobia (the extreme fear of crowded or small spaces). Theme parks, concerts, shopping complexes and cruise ships can all cause the condition to flare up. Unfortunately, this can severely limit vacation options for those with claustrophobia. To help give patients coping techniques that allow them to better handle busy/small spaces, there are multiple effective techniques that counselors and therapists can employ. Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), visualization and medication can actually help people recover from the phobia.⁴ If full recovery is not achieved, many patients go on to better manage the intensity and duration of their symptoms.
Having the ability to relax and enjoy time off is extremely important for all individuals. While this goal may be a massive challenge for people with specific phobias, the techniques described can help lead to positive short and long-term outcomes for patients.
Resources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/aquaphobia, Healthline, September 10, 2019
https://www.riverranchboats.com/prevent-motion-sickness/, River Ranch Boats, September 10, 2019
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-fear-of-travel-2671901, Very Well Mind, June 4, 2019
https://www.mindful.org/a-mindfulness-practice-for-facing-your-fears/, Mindful, July 3, 2014
