Phobias 

Do you or your child have a fear or spiders, flying, throwing up, fainting, storms, needles, shapes, the dark, dogs or something else? You’re not alone. And, you don’t have to live in fear.

Phobias may seem confusing, irrational or like a “phase,” but they are very real. These can be extremely uncomfortable and challenging for the person experiencing them. Whatever it is, we can work together to free you of it so you can get back to living and enjoying your life.

Together, we can change your beliefs about the feared object or situation in an effort to manage your emotional response with the use of CBT and Exposure Response Prevention.

It is very possible to feel free from these behaviors. Give us a call and we can develop a plan for you so these behaviors don’t cause physical damage to your appearance or emotional damage to your confidence.

Understanding Phobias

Phobias are an intense fear of something, like heights or certain animals, that causes significant distress. They’re typically treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

A phobia is an irrational fear of something that’s unlikely to cause harm. The word itself comes from the Greek word“phobos,” which means “fear” or “horror.”

Hydrophobia, for example, literally translates to fear of water.

When someone has a phobia, they experience intense fear of a certain object or situation. Phobias are different from regular fears because they cause significant distress, possibly interfering with life at home, work, or school.

Treating Phobias

Phobias are typically treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both:

Exposure therapy. During exposure therapy, which is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, you work with a psychologist to learn how to desensitize yourself to the object or situation that you fear. The goal is to improve your quality of life so that you’re no longer hindered or distressed by your fear.

Antianxiety medication. Your psychiatrist may recommend certain anxiety-reducing medications that can help you through exposure therapy. While these medications aren’t exactly a treatment for phobias, they can help make exposure therapy less distressing.

Other medications. Your clinician might also prescribe beta-blockers and benzodiazepines to manage feelings of anxiety or panic.