Question: how can we get over fears?

Philip Ratcliffe answered on 13 Nov 2014:

Well, now we’re in the realm of psychoanalysis, which is not a terribly exact science. That is, if you ask me how far is the Earth from the Sun, I will give the same answer (more or less) as any othe physicist. Ask ten different psychoanalysts and you’ll likely as not get ten different answers.
Here’s mine (but I’m not a psychoanalyst): fears (or phobias) are usually the result of our lack of knowledge – take the most obvious, the dark. Precisely, in the dark you don’t know what is there. The first time you get called into the headmaster’s office; you’re frightened because you don’t know what he’ll do. So, the usual answer is to try and get to know the situation that frightens you, but in safety. If you’re frightened of dogs, say, ask a friend who has one to keep it well under control while you stroke it. That way you can become familiar and eventually your fears should go away.
Of course, as far as the headmaster is concerned, there’s not much you can do there, but then if you misbehaved that’s quite right!
Sometimes though fears are a manifestation of some other problem you have and then it’s much harder.