"you're so brave doing this" is the most unhelpful thing you can say to someone when they are afraid of something

i have to push myself a lot because i have a phobia of almost literally everything so i have to do a lot of things when i'm terrified. people mostly say "you're so brave" when i do anything, but it doesn't make me feel better or calmer. it makes me feel more anxious honestly because its like people think i'm some brave, strong person and if i mess up i'll let them down. i know that isn't the case but it feels like it.