Phobias affect an estimated 10 per cent of us but many people hide their fear rather than seek help, ELEANOR HARDING reports

To outsiders, Laura* is a bit of a killjoy. She never drinks at parties and always leaves early. Would people understand if she told them her phobia stopped her having fun? She doesn’t know, so remains silent.

The 25-year-old PhD student has had a vomit phobia since she was five years old. She never eats out because of the possibility of food poisoning, and avoids parties and pubs where drinkers may throw up.

She says: “I realised I had the phobia after an incident at school. A child was sick, and then another was. I started to panic and they took me outside.

“I didn’t understand why I was so frightened. But every time from then on I would panic. I started to hyperventilate and sweat. I would feel I had to get out.”

“Now I try to avoid social situations where people might be sick. Even seeing it on screen at a cinema can make me feel very nervous.”

The phobia has blighted Laura’s life. As a student she was unable to cope with the prospect of a hall of residence and lived at home. She rarely took part in student social events. And although some friends know of her problem, she has always been too embarrassed to tell boyfriends.

She says: “It’s not the sort of thing you tell people. Relationships for me don’t go well. They don’t last long because I close off.”

Laura’s experience is surprisingly common, and it is estimated that 10 per cent of the population have a phobia. Every year, around 250 to 300 people are referred to South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. Many more never seek help, hiding their phobia by avoiding the item. Experts say this only reinforces the fear.

A person can have a phobia of anything, but common phobias include snakes, spiders, thunder and lightening, the dark, strangers and vomiting. More surprising phobias include buttons, zips, Velcro and cotton wool.

Peter Kolb, psychotherapist at the Trust, says: “We are all afraid of things but this is a reaction which is out of keeping with the item.

“The worst case I have seen was someone with a bird phobia. If she was anywhere near a bird she would perspire unbelievably. There was hair matted on her face.

“People have to realise that these people are petrified. Some years back there was a woman with a spider phobia who climbed out of a window and actually fell to avoid a spider.

“People have tried to get out of their cars while they are moving because a wasp has got in.

“It’s a level of fear that takes precedence over everything else. They are so afraid of that item that it overlays other things that the rest of us would say are very hazardous.”

Phobias can be genetic, or learnt from a parent who is also a phobic. They can also be triggered by traumatic incidents in childhood. The severity of the problem varies, but in the worst cases sufferers are unable to work for fear of leaving their houses.

Like other mental health issues, phobias can be treated via Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This involves gradual exposure to the item, allowing the sufferer to face their fears. In some cases anti-anxiety medication may be used. Locally, after an average of 10 to 12 sessions, eight out of 10 of patients improve by over 50 per cent.

“If you have a phobia, don’t beat yourself up about it,” adds Mr Kolb. “If you could pull yourself together, you would. You have got a very real problem. If you are struggling, summon up the courage to seek help.”

For help with your phobia, visit your GP. For more information on phobias visit the Anxiety UK website at anxietyuk.org.uk.

*name has been changed