There are two types of phobias: specific and social. Specific phobias are fear of objects or situations, like spiders or flying. Social phobias are the fear of social situations, such as giving speeches in public with a fear of being judged by the audience and possibly humiliated or ridiculed. Both are a form of an anxiety disorder.

Some of the symptoms of all phobias are rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, trembling, tingling sensations in the hands, a desire to run, and even depression. In the case of specific phobias, the individual may try to avoid the object or situation which may eventually hamper their quality of life. In social phobias, if the individuals are able to make it through the speech they may suffer extreme anxiety from the situation. This can lead to such extreme anxiety that the person eventually is afraid to leave their home for fear of encountering the object or situation.

This article entitled How to Treat Phobias will deal with treatment for both specific and social phobias. For more information on the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of phobias, please read How to Diagnose Phobias. For more information on other anxiety disorders, you may read How to Diagnose Anxiety Disorders and How to Treat Anxiety Disorders.

Exposure Therapy

One of the most effective therapies for specific phobias is a behavioral therapy called exposure therapy. Being exposed to the phobic stimulus is part of the therapy. The individual’s treatment is set up in a safe and controlled environment. For example, if they are afraid of mean dogs, because their original fear of mean dogs has now expanded to all dogs, it is not likely they will only encounter nice dogs. By controlling the environment they can be exposed to only nice dogs until the phobic response is extinguished. http://phobialist.com/treat.html According to the National Institute of Mental Health, this type of therapy is 75% effective.

The exposure therapy may go something like this:http://helpguide.org/mental/phobia_symptoms_types_treatment.htm

1. Draw a picture of a dog.
2. Read about dogs.
3. Look at photos of dogs.
4. Look at dogs through a closed window.
5. Look through a partly-opened window.
6. Look at them from a doorway.
7. Move further out from the doorway.
8. Have a helper bring a dog into a nearby room (on a leash).
9. Have the helper bring the dog into the same room, still on a leash.
   
   

Flooding

Flooding is based on exposure to your phobic stimulus for as long as you can handle your anxious state. The maximum amount of time your body can stay in this state is approximately 40 minutes. If you can last the entire time, you will realize that you were not harmed and that your phobia has no realistic basis. This therapy should only be done by a professional therapist.http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/phobias.html

Counter-Conditioning

In cases where individuals cannot handle flooding, an alternative classical conditioning technique is used called counter-conditioning. The individual is taught to substitute relaxation responses in the place of fear responses when their phobic stimulus is present. Since relaxation and fear are not compatible, the relaxation response counters the fear response. This technique is often done in three steps: teaching the individual to relax, figuring out the order in which the fears produce anxiety from least to most, and, replacing these fears, from lowest to highest, with relaxation.http://phobialist.com/treat.html

It is important for an individual to understand what phobias are. They are common, don’t mean you’re crazy, and are very treatable. The fears and anxieties from phobias can be overcome. Challenge any negative thoughts you may have. An example would be fear of elevators. For example, if you believe the elevator will break down and will trap and suffocate you, ask yourself the following questions:

”Is there any contradictory evidence to this negative thought?” Then state facts you know:

Many people ride the elevator and it hasn’t broken down.
No one I know of has died from suffocation while in the elevator.
I have never been in an elevator that broke down.
The air will not run out because there are vents in the elevator.

“Could you do anything to resolve this situation if it does occur?”

There is an alarm and a telephone which can be used for emergencies.

“Are you making a thinking error?”

There are no facts to make me believe the elevator will break down.

“If your friend was afraid, what would you tell her/him?”

The chances of the elevator breaking down are little to none because it seldom happens.

Using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, and meditation can help you relax and relieve panic, fear and anxiety. If you practice them consistently you will learn to calm yourself down and you will be able to use the technique when facing your phobic stimulus.http://helpguide.org/mental/phobia_symptoms_types_treatment.htm

The more times you face your fears, the more you realize that while the situation may be unpleasant, it will not harm you. Each time you face it you gain more control over your phobia and it begins to lose its power over you.http://allpsych.com/journal/phobias.html

Biofeedback: This technique is often used to make sure the individual is really relaxed before they go one step further towards their most feared phobic stimulus. Pulse and respiration are often checkedhttp://phobialist.com/treat.html

Modeling and Systematic Desensitization: By observing others (models) relax when encountering the phobic stimulus, instead of fear, they are encouraged to copy the behavior of the modelshttp://phobialist.com/treat.html

Virtual-reality helmet: The individual wears a virtual-reality helmet which shows a phobic situation. The situation is controlled by the therapist and monitored. If the individual’s pulse rate gets too high, the virtual scene is stopped or frozen to allow the individual to use relaxation techniques to reduce their fear and anxiety.http://phobialist.com/treat.html

Hypnosis: Post-hypnotic suggestions can help individuals control their breathing, heart rate, and help them relax, when recognizing a trigger that may set off a phobic response. If the phobic stimulus is from their childhood but is not remembered consciously, age regression may be used by the hypnotherapist to help them go back in time and examine the event that may have initially triggered their fear. Once they understand the cause, they no longer fear they will lose control.http://allpsych.com/journal/phobias.html

Self-Hypnosis: Practicing self-hypnosis eliminates dependency on the therapist. It allows for quick relaxation and control over the phobic stimulus. http://www.health-concern.com/Articles/hypnotherapy_&_phobias.htm

Increasing self-confidence. Even though individuals realize their fears are irrational, they feel helpless to control them. Ego strengthening helps to rebuild the ego and structure better ways to cope. Confidence can help with the skills that are diminished when individuals are stressed.http://www.health-concern.com/Articles/hypnotherapy_&_phobias.htm

Medications: Xanax and Valium are often used for treating anxiety disorders, mainly for short term, social phobias. Beta-blockers, such as Inderal and Tenormin, help to control high blood pressure and heart problems may help with performance anxiety, such as public speaking. Monoamine oxidase| (MAO) inhibitor antidepressants such as Nardil and Parnate and (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Luvox may also be used. These drugs have fewer side effects, are less addictive, and help individuals who also suffer from depression.http://allpsych.com/journal/phobias.html

Some of the newer antidepressants that target serotonin and other neurotransmitters are Effexor and Serzone. They are known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). They have been found to be helpful in treating OCD and panic disorders. Tofranil and Ianimine are the most popular, and are also helpful with agoraphobia. With the proper treatment, medication may not be necessary for long, as the outlook for completely overcoming their fears and symptoms is good.http://allpsych.com/journal/phobias.html

The content on this page is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak with a qualified heath care professional to ensure that you have the most accurate information regarding any mental health diagnosis.