Many people with a phobia do not need treatment. They control their phobia by avoiding what they have a fear of. They can still have a normal daily routine.
But it may not always be possible to avoid certain phobias, such as a fear of flying. You can ask your GP or a mental health professional about the different types of treatment available.
Most phobias can be successfully managed. But no single treatment is guaranteed to work for all phobias. In some cases, you may need a combination of different treatments.
The main treatment types are:
- self-help
- talking therapies
- medicine
Self-help
Self-help can include lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques and exposure therapy.
You may decide to use your own self-help strategy, or get help from a mental health specialist such as a psychologist.
Find things you can do to help your phobia
Talking therapies
Talk therapies such as counselling, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) usually work well for treating phobias.
CBT is usually very effective.
CBT
CBT can help you:
- manage your difficulties by changing the way you think and behave
- develop practical ways of dealing with your phobia
As part of your CBT your therapist may use desensitisation or exposure therapy. This involves gradual exposure to your fear, so you feel less anxious about it.
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy works by gradually increasing how much and often you are exposed to your fear. This helps you to gain control over your phobia. In time, you are less likely to feel anxious about your phobia.
For example, if you have a fear of snakes (ophidiophobia), your therapist may ask you to read about snakes. They may later show you a picture of a snake. They may then arrange a visit to the reptile house in a zoo to look at some real snakes. The final step would be for you to hold a harmless snake.
CBT and other types of talk therapies
Medicine
Medicine is not usually recommended for treating phobias.
This is because talking therapies such as counselling and CBT usually work well and do not have side effects.
But your GP or a doctor may prescribe medicine for a short time. For example, to treat anxiety or panic caused by your phobia.
Medicine they may prescribe you include
- antidepressants
- tranquillisers
- beta-blockers
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE