Many older people have phobias, but they go over the older you get. It shows a long-term study among 70-79 year olds.
The long-term study was recently presented in a paper by Robert Stig Power at Gothenburg University.
– Many of those who have a phobia at the age of 70 will be better when they are older. Even if you still have symptoms, many people do not get this diagnosed later. There is a better prognosis than previously seen in clinical trials, he said.
At any age, it is common to be overly scared, therefore having a phobia. It can range from being afraid of animals like spiders, snakes and rats to natural phenomena such as heights, thunder, storms and deep water. Or situations as elevators, airplanes, and narrow areas. Or maybe blood, syringes and dentists.
In the study, it was more than 300 70-year olds who were interviewed by nurses in Gothenburg, and followed for 9 years, which is unique. 40 percent had some form of phobia, which decreased with age.
Why phobias go over you get older do not know the scientists.
– It may be that when you get older you become better at regulating their emotions in some way. But it may also be that the brain gets tired little if you put it very crudely, so you do not get the same lighthouse in the autonomic nervous system when you get old.
And researcher Robert Sigström ‘re like most people, and has a phobia. His are the snakes. But any treatment he does not want.
– You can handle that in many cases without getting any treatment. Moreover, the treatment quite tough, if one should have a snake around the neck, or whatever it may be.
– Is that what it takes?
– The most effective treatment for this kind of trouble is to expose themselves for what they are afraid of. Under controlled conditions and with an experienced person course.
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