English

ProjEct
FilE
12
NAME : Subrta Tripathi
CLASS: 12-D

ProjEct
BOARD ROLL NO.:
_____________________
 human
PhoBias
 indEx

S.N.O TOPIC SIGN

1. Acknowledgment
2. Certificate
3. Introduction
4. Types of phobias
5. Myths about Phobias
6. Fear Vs Phobia
7. Way to over come
phobias
8. Survey on phobias
9. Case Study
10. Conclusion
11. Bibliography
acknowlEdgEmEnt

I would like to convey my gratitude of

thanks to Ms. Anjili Sarah Mathew, my
English teacher who always gave me
valuable suggestions and guidance during
the completion of this project.
Also, I would like to thanks my parents
who supported me and helped me in
completing my file on time.
 cErtiFicatE

This is to certify that Subrta Tripathi of class 12-D

St. Mary’s School, Dwarka has completed his
project file under my supervision. He has taken
proper care and shown utmost sincerity in
completion of the project the project. I certify that
this project is up to my expectation and as per the
guidelines issued by CBSE.
introduction

What are phobias?

A phobia is an excessive and irrational
fear reaction. If you have a phobia, you
may experience a deep sense of dread
or panic when you encounter the
source of your fear. The fear can be of
a certain place, situation, or object.
Unlike general anxiety disorders, a
phobia is usually connected to
something specific.
 tyPEs oF PhoBias

Phobias can develop around any object or situation. Some

people may experience multiple phobias. They can be
broadly categorised into two groups:
1. Specific Phobias : These are phobias about a specific
object or situation, such as spiders or flying. They often
develop in childhood or adolescence. For some people,
they might become less severe as they get older.
 2. Complex Phobias : Complex phobias tend to have a
more disruptive or overwhelming impact on your life
than specific phobias. They tend to develop when you
are an adult.
Two of the most common complex phobias are:
a. Social phobia : It is also known as social anxiety or
social anxiety disorder. A lot of people find social
situations difficult, or feel shy or awkward at
certain times – this is completely normal.
 b. Agoraphobia : Many people think that
agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces, but it is
more complex than this.

Agoraphobia is feeling anxious about being in places

or situations. You may start to feel extremely anxious
and worried about having another one. In turn, you
may feel your symptoms returning each time you’re in
a similar situation.
 othEr PhoBias
A person may develop a phobia of any type of situation or
thing. Because of this, there are hundreds of different
phobias that people may experience.
1. Nyctophobia (or 2. Escalophobia: This
noctophobia): The refers to a fear of
name comes from the escalators . You may
Greek word for night. also have a rapid
Children and adults with heartbeat, a hot flushed
nyctophobia may fear feeling, a shortness of
being alone in the dark. breath, and sudden
They may have anxiety in trembling when you try
dark places, and they to step onto the
may have trouble escalator.
sleeping in a darkened
room.
3. Hydrophobia, or
aquaphobia: Literally, an
irrational fear of water, to
drink or to swim in.
Someone who is scared of
the water is hydrophobic.

4. Obesophobia:
Obesophobia, or
pocrescophobia, is an
intense fear of gaining
weight. Many people think
about their weight and go
on diets often. But people
with obesophobia go to
extremes, such as
undereating, starving, over-
exercising or avoiding
activities involving food.
 Myths about Phobias

❖ Myth: Phobias are genetic

There is no concrete evidence to

back up this myth. However, if there
is one parent who is diagnosed with
a phobia, it can be a risk factor
contributing to a child developing
phobias.
Though in most cases, a phobia can
be developed by experiencing a bad
situation, for example, falling down
the stairs, or having been bitten by a
dog.
❖ Myth: Phobias are just personality
traits

Many people believe that

phobias are just a deep-
rooted trait of our personality.
In truth, our personality, in some
way, stems from our phobias of
certain things.
For instance, a person who
fears crowded spaces
(agoraphobia) is more likely to
be an introvert.
FEar
vs
PhoBia
is thErE a
way to
ovErcomE
thE
PhoBias ?
 Therapy Can Help
Treat Phobias
1. Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a
type of behaviour
therapy.
With this type of
treatment, a therapist
usually begins by
training you in
relaxation techniques
that can This is a process of
gradually exposing you to
calm you when you’re
fear-provoking situations
under a lot of stress.
from least scary to most
scary.
 Exposure therapy is a way of gradually bringing you
closer to something you fear. It usually begins first in
your imagination, then in various representations,
perhaps cartoons, drawings, or photographs.

2. Cognitive behavioural therapy

Cognitive behavioural
therapy (CBT) often
incorporates the same
systematic
desensitization
methods used in
exposure therapy. CBT
also focuses on the
specific thoughts and
beliefs you have Often, people with phobias
associated with the develop thought patterns
phobias. around them of that which
does not exists.
 3. Yoga and Meditation

When we meditate, we embark on a journey to a calmer,

less reactive, and less fearful mind. In calming the mind,
we not only quell our fears, but we increase the chances
of conquering them. But it takes practice and patience to
understand and unravel fear to the extent that it no longer
has a hold over us.
a survEy on PhoBia
(an anxiEty disordEr)
 Case study
(Fear can be Name less)

71-year-old Rwandan man lives in isolation because

of ‘fear of women’.

Media reports stated that Callixte Nzamwita, who is reportedly

71, has allegedly spent the last 55 years in self-imposed exile,

barricading himself inside his home to avoid any contact with

women. Nzamwita reportedly began isolating himself at the age
of 16, meaning he does everything from sleeping and cooking,
even urinating, in the space of his own confined abode.A fear of
women, called gynophobia, is not officially recognised as a
genuine mental disorder, but is clinically classified as a specific
phobia. In a YouTube video published by Afrimax TV, Nzamwitza
said: 'The reason I locked myself inside here and have a fence on
my house is because I want to make sure that women will not
come closer to me'.

A neighbour who spoke to Afrimax for their video said: 'When we

try to help him, he doesn't want us to come closer or talk to him.
Instead, we give him things by tossing them into his house'.

They continued: 'He doesn't let us get close to him, but he still
takes what we offer from a distance'.

Living such a secluded and solitary existence may appear to be

an impossible challenge for most people, but Nzamwita appears
to be satisfied with the life he is claimed to live.

Despite cutting a pale, sickly figure in the video, he appeared

intent on continuing to live the way he has seemingly done for
over half a century. The way I live is enough for me. I didn't have
any idea of having a woman and I'm okay with that.

'I do not want women around me because they make me really

scared,' he added.

The National Health Service’s advice on specific phobias says

they centre around a particular object, animal, situation or
activity. Specific phobias can often develop during childhood or
adolescence and may become less severe as you get older.
 RELATIVITY:
DEEP WATERS (by William Douglas)

We can relate the topic “Human Phobias” with one of

the chapters in our English textbook.

The chapter is “DEEP WATERS “ by William Douglas.

In this chapter the author has shared his journey of

overcoming his fear of water which was deeply
rooted in him since his childhood. To get rid of the
fear, he decides to confront it. He mocks it by thinking
what can it really do? Consequently, he plunges into
the water and to his surprise, his fear goes away. He
faced it in many places and at last, manages to
conquer it.

“All we have to
fear is fear itself.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd U.S. President

 Conclusion
From the detailed information, survey and the
case study we can conclude that:

• Phobias are unique experiences, and what

triggers one person may not affect
another. Thus, it is based on the principle of
individuality.
• Fears to an extreme level is called Phobias.
• Cultural factors and personal experiences
can also influence phobias.

• A diagnosis is just one step in understanding

a phobia. The focus should be on supporting
the individual and helping them manage
their fear.
• If you are concerned about a potential
phobia, seeking professional help is the best
course of action.
 Bibliography

• [Link]
• Jamaica Observer
• [Link] [Link]
• Navbharat times
• [Link]