How to Overcome a Fear of Ghosts

The fear of ghosts, also known as phasmophobia, isn't necessarily a common fear, but to those who have it, it can be debilitating. Common symptoms for phasmophobia are similar to anxiety, and include dry mouth, nausea, sweating and heart palpitations. Whether ghosts exist or not isn't relevant, since phobias such as phasmophobia are illogical, even to those who are plagued by the fear. What is relevant, however, is finding a way to overcome it.

Instructions

• 1

  Try hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy is used for many purposes, but the basic concept is always the same. The patient's subconscious is altered by a trained hypnotherapist to change their beliefs about reality. While the patient is under hypnosis, the therapist can insert positive beliefs to replace negative ones, thus canceling out the fear of ghosts. However, some patients with phasmophobia may be reluctant to open their minds like this, so if it doesn't sound like an appealing treatment, it might be practical to look into another solution.

• 2

  Seek out a neuro-linguistic programmer. Neuro-linguistic programming, or NLP, is based on the concept that we create self-fulfilling prophecies for ourselves by the words we use. During therapy sessions, a neuro-linguistic programmer will analyze your body language and word choice when describing your problem and help you integrate new thoughts and words into your everyday thinking that will eventually allow you to overcome your fear.

• 3

  Try energy psychology. Energy psychology is a type of counseling that also involves new-age meditation practices such as yoga, acupuncture and Tai Chi. Although it's less conventional, energy psychology is a type of therapy that's used specifically to treat phobias, so it may be the most practical solution of all.

• 4

  Speak with a physician about possibly getting on an anti-anxiety medication. There are several of these available by prescription, and they're clinically proven to work, but they can also be habit-forming, and they don't necessarily eliminate the problem. However, while you're in therapy, the medicine can help you cope with your fear until you learn to deal with it on your own.