Assessment and description of phobias among teenagers in schools of selected areas.

Objectives: 1. To assess phobias among teenagers in selected schools. 2. To describe phobias among teenagers in selected schools. 3. To find association between selected demographic variables and study finding. Material and Methods: The research approach adopted in this study is Mixed approach. Quantitative Non-experimental Descriptive Qualitative Phenomenological design was used. The sample were selected by Probability stratified random sampling technique. sample size was 100. Results: 1. According to 8% of the teenagers did not had phobia (score 0-8), 32% of them had mild phobia (score 9-16), 27% of them had moderate phobia (score 17-24), 21% of them had severe phobia (Score 25-32) and12% of them had very severe phobia (Score 33- 40). 2. Summative analysis shows that the most of teenage students are having Fear of Height, Fear of Water, Fear of Flying, Social Phobia, Fear of Animals, Fear of Dog, Fear of blood. Few of having some of having Fear of thunder, Fear of Alone, Fear of Disease, Fear of snakes, Fear of Night, Fear of Pain, Monophobia, Fear of Doctor, Fear of fire. Conclusion: Majority of teenagers having mild phobia, that may be any type for e.g. having Fear of Height, Fear of Water, Fear of Flying, Social Phobia, Fear of Animals, Fear of Dog, Fear of blood. Few of having some of having Fear of thunder, Fear of Alone, Fear of Disease, Fear of snakes, Fear of Night, Fear of Pain, Monophobia, Fear of Doctor, Fear of fire.

The Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy Treatment for Fear of Flying: A Retrospective Study

Background: Fear of flying (FoF) is a phobia with 10–40% prevalence in the industrialized world. FoF is accompanied by severe economic, social, vocational, and emotional consequences. In recent years, virtual reality (VR)-based exposure therapy (VRET) for FoF has been introduced. Positive long-term efficacy of FoF-VRET has been reported by several studies, which, however, were limited by relatively small, non-representative samples and a lack of comparative pre/post functional efficacy outcome measures. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a VRET treatment utilizing a large-scale VR system, experienced by a representative sample of self-referred individuals.Methods: We conducted a retrospective survey. Of 274 individuals who received the treatment (over a period of 3 years), 209 met inclusion/criteria, and 98 agreed to participate. We mainly collected information regarding flight activity before and after treatment relying on evidence such as boarding passes and flight tickets. The primary outcome measures were (1) number of flights per month (FpM) and (2) number of flight hours per month (FHpM). For each participant, these outcomes were computed for the post-treatment period (≥6 months after FoF-VRET) and the corresponding pre-treatment period.Results: FpM (mean ± SD) increased from 0.04 ± 0.06 to 0.16 ± 14 flights (p < 0.0001). FHpM rose from 0.19 ± 0.35 to 0.79 ± 0.87 h per month (p < 0.0001).Conclusion: These results are indicative of FoF-VRET treatment efficacy. Future studies should evaluate long-term maintenance of the treatment effect and thus identify the optimal frequency for delivery of periodic booster treatments.

Virtual Reality Self-help Treatment for Aviophobia: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Aviophobia (the fear of flying) can greatly impact the daily life functioning of people with the condition. Traditional exposure-based treatment is hampered by the limited availability of airplane practice situations, which is a result of economical and practical concerns. Easily accessible and low-cost virtual reality exposure therapy may address these challenges. Objective The purpose of our study is to investigate the effectiveness of ZeroPhobia: Aviophobia (a self-help mobile app–based treatment) in reducing flight anxiety symptoms and depressive and anxiety symptoms. We will also investigate the effects of usage intensity, the sense of immersion, inherent absorption ability, and perceived user-friendliness on the treatment effect. Methods Participants (N=114) who are aged 18-64 years and experience at least mild symptoms of aviophobia will be recruited from the general Dutch population and randomized into a treatment group or waitlist control group. By using their own phones and rudimentary mobile virtual reality headsets, participants will receive six modules of psychoeducation and cognitive behavioral therapy, which will include six levels of virtual reality exposure therapy over a period of 6 weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, posttest (ie, after 6 weeks), and 3- and 12-month follow-ups. The primary outcome measure of our study is the Flight Anxiety Situations Questionnaire. The secondary outcome measures include anxiety and depression measures and additional covariates (including usage intensity, the degree of immersion, etc). We will test treatment effectiveness by conducting an intention-to-treat analysis and estimating average treatment effects on the treated. The mechanisms of treatment effect will also be explored. Results The study was funded on September 25, 2018. Ethical approval was received on October 11, 2019. Recruitment closed on May 7, 2020. Conclusions Our study will further the scientific understanding and clinical implications of technology’s current ability to aid in providing effective, accessible treatment for the fear of flying. Trial Registration Netherlands Trial Registry NL70238.029.19; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8257. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/22008

High place phenomenon: prevalence and clinical correlates in two German samples

Background The high place phenomenon, that is, a sudden urge to jump when in a high place, is an experience known to many people, that has rarely been studied. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of the high place phenomenon in a non-clinical and a clinical German sample. Furthermore, clinical correlates of the experience were assessed. Methods The study sample comprised 276 participants (67% female; Mage = 32.08, SDage = 10.73) who took part in an online assessment and 94 patients (73.4% female; Mage = 49.26, SDage = 13.32) suffering from clinically relevant fear of flying. Participants filled out questionnaires on experiences with the high place phenomenon, depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and anxiety sensitivity. Results The high place phenomenon was known to nearly 60% of the online sample and to 45% of the patient sample. Suicide ideation as well as anxiety sensitivity were positively associated with experiences with the high place phenomenon in the online sample. Depression, anxiety and suicide ideation were unrelated to experiences with the phenomenon in the patient sample. Conclusion The high place phenomenon is commonly reported by (lifetime/current) suicide ideators. However, it is also a common experience in individuals who have never suffered from suicide ideation. It is therefore cautioned not to interpret such experiences as an expression of a hidden death wish.

High Place Phenomenon: Prevalence and clinical correlates in two German samples

Background: The high place phenomenon, that is, a sudden urge to jump when in a high place, is an experience known to many people, that has rarely been studied. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of the high place phenomenon in a non-clinical and a clinical German sample. Furthermore, clinical correlates of the experience were assessed. Methods: The study sample comprised 276 participants (67% female; Mage=32.08, SDage=10.73) who took part in an online assessment and 94 patients (73.4% female; Mage=49.26, SDage=13.32) suffering from clinically relevant fear of flying. Participants filled out questionnaires on experiences with the high place phenomenon, depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and anxiety sensitivity.Results: The high place phenomenon was known to nearly 60% of the online sample and to 45% of the patient sample. Suicide ideation as well as anxiety sensitivity were positively associated with experiences with the high place phenomenon in the online sample. Depression, anxiety and suicide ideation were unrelated to experiences with the phenomenon in the patient sample. Conclusion: The high place phenomenon is commonly reported by (lifetime/current) suicide ideators. However, it is also a common experience in individuals who have never suffered from suicide ideation. It is therefore cautioned not to interpret such experiences as an expression of a hidden death wish.

High Place Phenomenon: Prevalence and clinical correlates in two German samples

Background: The high place phenomenon, that is, a sudden urge to jump when in a high place, is an experience known to many people, that has rarely been studied. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of the high place phenomenon in a non-clinical and a clinical German sample. Furthermore, clinical correlates of the experience were assessed. Methods: The study sample comprised 276 participants (67% female; Mage=32.08, SDage=10.73) who took part in an online assessment and 94 patients (73.4% female; Mage=49.26, SDage=13.32) suffering from clinically relevant fear of flying. Participants filled out questionnaires on experiences with the high place phenomenon, depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and anxiety sensitivity.Results: The high place phenomenon was known to nearly 60% of the online sample and to 45% of the patient sample. Suicide ideation as well as anxiety sensitivity were positively associated with experiences with the high place phenomenon in the online sample. Depression, anxiety and suicide ideation were unrelated to experiences with the phenomenon in the patient sample. Conclusion: The high place phenomenon is commonly reported by (lifetime/current) suicide ideators. However, it is also a common experience in individuals who have never suffered from suicide ideation. It is therefore cautioned not to interpret such experiences as an expression of a hidden death wish.

High Place Phenomenon: Prevalence and Clinical Correlates in Two German Samples

Background: The high place phenomenon, that is, a sudden urge to jump when in a high place, is an experience known to many people, that has rarely been studied. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of the high place phenomenon in a non-clinical and a clinical German sample. Furthermore, clinical correlates of the experience were assessed. Methods: The study sample comprised 276 participants (67% female; Mage=32.08, SDage=10.73) who took part in an online assessment and 94 patients (73.4% female; Mage=49.26, SDage=13.32) suffering from clinically relevant fear of flying. Participants filled out questionnaires on experiences with the high place phenomenon, depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and anxiety sensitivity.Results: The high place phenomenon was known to nearly 60% of the online sample and to 45% of the patient sample. Suicide ideation as well as anxiety sensitivity were positively associated with experiences with the high place phenomenon in the online sample. Depression, anxiety and suicide ideation were unrelated to experiences with the phenomenon in the patient sample. Conclusion: The high place phenomenon is commonly reported by (lifetime/current) suicide ideators. However, it is also a common experience in individuals who have never suffered from suicide ideation. It is therefore cautioned not to interpret such experiences as an expression of a hidden death wish.