The idea seems ludicrous on the surface--in order to beat a phobia, take a synthetic version of the hormone that makes you afraid in the first place. Yet Swiss research shows that this unlikely solution might have some merit.

According to the Los Angeles Times, researchers at Switzerland's University of Basel demonstrated a clear link between synthetic cortisol and successful exposure treatment for phobias. Apparently cortisol acts in two ways--repressing old memories and heightening new ones.

Since phobias create a fear of fear, suppressing the memories that trigger that fear can actually lessen it. Meanwhile, the cortisol helps new memories to stick. A successful guided exposure to the object of fear becomes the prominent new memory, eventually overshadowing the old fearful one.

I will further explore this research in an upcoming article. In the meantime, what do you think? Is this something you would try, with the guidance of your mental health professional? Or does it seem ridiculously illogical to you?

Spring 2011 may go down in the history books as one of the most active weather seasons in some time. Just last week, a massive outbreak of tornadoes killed an estimated 45 people from Oklahoma through North Carolina. While severe weather is always nerve-wracking, it can be almost impossible for those with storm phobias to bear.

Astraphobia is the general fear of thunder and lightning, while lilapsophobia focuses on more severe weather. Both can cause you to overreact, eventually limiting your activities in an effort to remain safe.

While it is important to be prepared, living your life in fear is unhealthy. Do you suffer from storm-related phobias? How do you handle severe weather outbreaks? Your thoughts are welcome!

According to Asia One, a mysterious illness sweeping through China is not a new strain of AIDS. Thousands of people have developed AIDS-like symptoms, but repeatedly test negative for HIV. Apparently those people are suffering from a phobia of AIDS that actually causes their symptoms.

The mind-body connection is extremely strong, and phobias are known to cause physical symptoms. If this new report is accurate, however, it may represent the strongest connection known to date. It will be interesting to see how things play out.

What do you think? Have you ever thought yourself into experiencing the symptoms of whatever disease you fear most? Your thoughts are welcome!

If you or your child get sick, your first instinct may be to reach for the thermometer. But obsessively tracking a fever, or fighting it over-aggressively, may not be the best thing to do. According to an article in the LA Times, the fear of fevers may cause parents to waste time working on a fever rather than focusing on treating the underlying illness.

Of course, like any phobia, it is also possible to go too far in the other direction. If you are afraid of fevers, your tendency might be to hide the thermometer rather than obsessively checking it. Fever can be an important diagnostic tool, and a fever that is too high might call for immediate treatment. Like anything else, it is important to strike a balance.

Are you afraid of fevers? How do you respond when a family member gets ill? Your thoughts are welcome!