Like generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic attacks, a phobia is an anxiety disorder. It is characterised by an extreme or irrational fear of an animal, object, place or situation.
Phobias are more than simple fears; however, they can completely dominate the life of an individual who reorganises his / her whole life around avoiding the particular thing he / she fears and the very thought of coming into contact with it, will lead to intense feelings of anxiety and panic.
In more complex phobias such as agoraphobia (fear of open spaces and public places) and social phobias the individual may find it very difficult to lead a normal life, as these situations are not easily avoided. Individuals suffering from a phobia are similarly likely to suffer with depression, and panic attacks are common.
In late 2012, Hannan Düzen emigrated to Turkey and settled in the city of Bursa. Further to her BACP accredited membership, she joined the Turkish Psychologists Institute and was elected as a reserve member of the Management Board of the Bursa branch. Hannan Düzen provides psychotherapy services in either Turkish or English.
