Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to help you function effectively. The success of the treatment usually depends on the severity of the phobia.

Anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications are sometimes used to help relieve the symptoms associated with phobias. See Panic Disorder for more information about medications.

Behavioral treatment appears to have long-lasting benefits.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you understand and change the thoughts that are causing your condition, as well as learn to recognize and replace panic-causing thoughts.
• Systematic desensitization or exposure therapy may be used to treat phobias. You are asked to relax, then imagine the things that cause the anxiety, working from the least fearful to the most fearful. Gradual exposure to the real-life situation has also been used with success to help people overcome their fears.
• Social skills training may involve social contact in a group therapy situation to practice social skills. Role playing and modeling are techniques used to help you become more comfortable relating to others in a social situation.

Lifestyle changes may help reduce how often the attacks occur.

• Get regular exercise, adequate sleep, and regularly scheduled meals.
• Reduce or avoid the use of caffeine, some over-the-counter cold medicines, and other stimulants.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is generally good with treatment, and antidepressant medications have been shown to be very effective.

Complications:

• Alcohol use to combat anxiety
• Alcohol or other drug dependence
• Loneliness and social isolation

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider or mental health professional if fear is affecting your work and relationships with others.