Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id QAA09298 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 18 May 2000 16:09:21 +0100 Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 08:07:22 -0700 From: Bill Spight <bspight@pacbell.net> Subject: Re: PHOBIAS To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Message-id: <3924072A.82AB6DE3@pacbell.net> Organization: Saybrook Graduate School X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.61 [en]C-PBI-NC404 (Win95; I) Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit X-Accept-Language: ja,en References: <Pine.OSF.4.21.0005180933440.13662-100000@koko.umd.edu> Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Dear Lawrence (and Wade),
> The structure of the phobia can be fully undone, leaving the person
> totally free of the phobia:
I do not wish to underestimate the importance of phobia relief,
nor the fact that it is possible, as Lawrence indicates. The
method presented is a kind of desensitization. If it takes only
30 min., it is a very efficient variety. :-)
Three points, however. 1) Most phobias have an innate component.
While a bunny rabbit phobia is possible, for instance, a snake
phobia is more common and harder to extinguish. This makes
evolutionary sense. Chicks run from a silhouette of a hawk, even
if they have never seen one. 2) There is fairly recent evidence
that the neurological phobic structures persist, even after
successful desensitization (emotional memory). While normally the
phobia remains dormant, it can occasionally resurface. 3)
Self-desensitization is possible (just as self-hypnosis is),
although difficult. Better to get help. :-)
And I should add, a competent cognitive or behavioral therapist,
or even a good hypnotherapist, can provide rapid and reliable
phobic relief. :-)
Best,
Bill
===============================================================
This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission
For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu May 18 2000 - 16:09:53 BST