Life-changing online care for phobia

The onset of a specific phobia is complex, and there are a few different causes and risk factors at play. These include:

• Direct learning experiences: Specific phobias can sometimes begin following a traumatic experience. For example, if you were bitten by a dog as a child, you might develop a fear of dogs. If you had a car accident, you might develop a fear of driving or riding in a car.
• Observational learning experiences: Some people may learn to fear certain situations by observing others show signs of fear in that situation. For example, if you grew up with a mother who was afraid of heights, you may learn to also fear heights.
• Informational learning: Sometimes, people develop specific phobias after hearing or reading about a situation that may be dangerous. For example, you might learn to fear flying after watching news footage of a plane crash.

However, it is important to remember that learning is not the sole cause of specific phobias. Many people are bitten by dogs or get into car accidents and do not go on to develop phobias.

Risk factors for phobias may also include a genetic component, but not much is known about the biological factors that cause and maintain specific phobias. What we do know is that when someone encounters a feared stimulus, many biological changes occur in the body, including changes in brain activity, the release of cortisol, insulin, and growth hormone, and increases in blood pressure and heart rate.

If you have a specific fear or phobia that is interfering with your everyday life, it might be time to make an appointment to see your doctor. If left untreated, phobias can interfere with your personal relationships and prevent you from functioning normally at home, school, or work.

A medical provider will diagnose you with a phobia based on the following criteria:

• Exposure to the feared item or situation almost always leads to an immediate anxiety response, which may take the form of a panic attack
• You recognize that the fear is excessive or out of proportion to the actual threat posed
• You avoid the phobic situation(s), or endure it with intense anxiety or distress
• The avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress during the feared situation(s) interferes significantly with your normal routine, functioning at work or school, social activities or relationships, or there is marked distress about having the phobia
• The fear is persistent, typically lasting for at least six months

The medical provider is likely to ask about current symptoms and family history, particularly whether other family members have had phobias. You may want to report any experience or trauma that may have triggered the phobia (i.e., a dog bite leading to a fear of dogs).

It may be helpful to discuss how you react - your thoughts, feelings and physical symptoms - when you are confronted with the thing you fear. It might also be helpful to describe what you do to avoid fearful situations, and how the phobia affects your daily life, including your job and your personal relationships.

Phobias are typically treated using a combination of medication and therapy.

Medication Short-term medication is sometimes prescribed to treat the side effects of phobias, such as anxiety or panic attacks. If the phobia is confronted only occasionally, as in a fear of flying, the use of medication can be limited.

Antidepressants are often prescribed to help reduce the anxiety associated with phobias. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are most often prescribed to treat anxiety, social phobia, or panic disorder.

Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help ease the symptoms of a phobia - especially when a technique called exposure therapy is implemented. Exposure therapy involves gradually increasing your exposure to the thing you fear, at your own pace, under controlled circumstances. As you are exposed to the object, you are taught to master your fear through various strategies including relaxation, breathing control, or other anxiety-reducing techniques.

Self-Care, Coping, and Support Many treatment plans for phobias involve aspects of self-care. This can include:

• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Getting enough sleep
• Exercising on a regular basis
• Managing stress & practicing mindfulness
• Engaging in enjoyable/creative activities
• Taking prescribed medications correctly and discussing any potential side effects with your health care providers
• Watching for early signs that your symptoms may be worsening, and having a plan in place for how to respond if they do
• Surrounding yourself with positive and supportive influences
• Talking to trusted family members and friends about how you are feeling