Crossing Bridges: Fear vs. Phobia

The rush-hour collapse of the bridge in Minneapolis on August 1 is a tragedy that has extended well beyond the immediate disaster area. When such an event occurs, even those who did not experience it become fearful and anxious, wondering if it could happen to them. That’s a normal reaction, and it’s usually temporary. It’s also unlikely that high emotions will develop into a phobia.

About Phobias

Specific phobias are characterized by strong, irrational, involuntary fear reactions to a particular object, place, or situation, such as crossing a bridge. These fear reactions lead people to dread confronting common, everyday situations, or avoid them altogether, even though they know logically there’s no threat of danger. The fear doesn’t make sense, but nothing seems to be able to stop it. When confronted with the feared situation, someone with a phobia may even have a panic attack—the abrupt onset of intense fear or terror in which individuals feel as if they are losing control, unable to breathe, or having a heart attack.

Phobias can disrupt daily routines, limit work efficiency, reduce self-esteem, and place a strain on relationships because individuals will do whatever they can to avoid the uncomfortable and often terrifying feelings of phobic anxiety. While some phobias develop in childhood, most seem to come out of the blue, usually during adolescence or early adulthood. They often occur in situations that previously did not cause any discomfort or anxiety. Common phobias include animals, insects, heights, thunder, driving, public transportation, flying, dental or medical procedures, and elevators.

Specific phobias affect 8.7 percent of adults in the United States, and along with panic disorder they affect some 25 million people. But there’s good news. Jerilyn Ross, ADAA President and CEO says, “Up to 90 percent of people with panic disorder and phobias can be effectively treated.”

Getting Help

If you believe you have a phobia, you can get help. The Anxiety Disorders Association of America provides a geographical list of its members who have identified themselves as providing treatment for anxiety disorders. Click here to find a therapist.

Click here for information about coping with traumatic events from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Talking to Your Children
Children of all ages are likely to have fears, concerns, and questions about the bridge collapse. Read the advice below to help them cope with this and other traumatic events.

Young Children

• Listen. Encourage children to ask questions and share their feelings.

• Answer their questions without using jargon, hyperbole, or euphemisms.

• Reassure children that everything will be okay. Stress the fact that they are safe.

• Protect them from what they do not need to know. Do not discuss worst-case scenarios.

• Limit the amount of television coverage they watch. Viewing frightening images over and over again can increase a child’s stress level and fear.

• Stick to your family’s daily routine as much as possible. Children should attend school and other activities as usual. Avoidance of these situations can actually reinforce fear and anxiety.

Adolescents and College Students

• Be an active listener. Do not pressure your child to talk, but be ready with an open ear when he or she comes to you. Respect your child’s feelings even if you don’t fully understand what he or she is going through.

• Encourage your child to seek out peer support. Talking to peers or joining a support group can provide a good deal of comfort. School-counseling centers often can refer students to support groups.

• Provide information and options for seeking professional help. Feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety and depression are normal following a traumatic event. However, if these feelings are overwhelming and persistent, encourage your child to seek professional help and provide resources for getting it. Ask the school counselor about services, speak to your family physician, or search for a therapist in your area here.

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The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is the leading national, non-profit organization dedicated to the early diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders. ADAA offers free educational information and resources on anxiety disorders, local treatment providers, self-help groups, self-tests, clinical trials and more. ADAA is the unified voice for anxiety disorders and promotes the message that anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable.