Overcome phobia from the comfort of home.
Feel better in 12 weeks with a personalized treatment plan including medication, therapy, or both.
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Phobia is an intense, persistent, irrational fear of a specific situation, activity, object, or person. Usually, the feelings of fear are significantly greater than the actual danger or threat. People with phobias are highly distressed and preoccupied about feeling the fear, and often will go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation in question.
There are five different types of specific phobias. These include: Animal Type (e.g. dogs, snakes, spiders), Natural Environment Type (e.g., heights, storms, water), Blood-Injection-Injury Type (e.g. fear of seeing blood, receiving a blood test or shot), Situational Type (e.g., airplanes, elevators, driving, enclosed places), and Other Types (e.g., phobic avoidance of situations that may lead to choking, vomiting, or contracting an illness).
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In addition to the physical symptoms, psychological symptoms may also occur. These include:
Antidepressants are shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of phobia. At Brightside, we use data and research to find the right medication for you.
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We use evidence-based therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is proven to be effective in treating phobia.
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A comprehensive approach to care leads to better outcomes. By practicing daily healthy habits and self-care, you can reduce your symptoms of phobia.
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Whether you choose medication, therapy, or both, our memberships include expert online care designed to help you feel better, faster.
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Start by answering a clinically-proven set of questions, which will help us understand your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan with Medication, Therapy, or both.
Within 48 hours, you’ll have a video consultation where you can share how you’re feeling and decide on next steps together.
Unlimited messaging, video sessions, and regular check-ins help you stay in touch with your provider so they can monitor your symptoms and adjust until treatment is right for you.
“A literal life saver. So convenient, so effective, and more involved/high touch than my former psychiatrist was. I should have done this a year sooner.”
“Brightside has made such a huge improvement on my quality of life. The ease of access, the convenience of the med delivery, and the intelligent check in scoring system all contribute to a next level quality of care.”
“My provider has answered every question I’ve had, listened to worries and concerns and symptoms, assured me and is truly invested in my quality of care. I’ve gone from moderate-severe depression to mild depression in just 2 months.”
“I am so very grateful to have found Brightside. This is the most hopeful I have felt in maybe two years. Brightside isn't just working for me, it saved me. Brightside really turned may life around.”
“My life is so much better after starting with Brightside. My doctor truly cares about my well being and I’m just so grateful for this.”
“A literal life saver. So convenient, so effective, and more involved/high touch than my former psychiatrist was. I should have done this a year sooner.”
“Brightside has made such a huge improvement on my quality of life. The ease of access, the convenience of the med delivery, and the intelligent check in scoring system all contribute to a next level quality of care.”
“My provider has answered every question I’ve had, listened to worries and concerns and symptoms, assured me and is truly invested in my quality of care. I’ve gone from moderate-severe depression to mild depression in just 2 months.”
“I am so very grateful to have found Brightside. This is the most hopeful I have felt in maybe two years. Brightside isn't just working for me, it saved me. Brightside really turned may life around.”
“My life is so much better after starting with Brightside. My doctor truly cares about my well being and I’m just so grateful for this.”
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.
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:
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:
Receive ongoing online care from hand-selected providers who are experts in treating anxiety & depression.
Data-driven prescribing that analyzes over 100 unique data points and decades of clinical research to pinpoint your match.
Build the skills needed to overcome anxiety and depression with an evidence-based approach to therapy that is proven to work.
Track your progress at every step, so you and your provider can make informed decisions and adjust your care until it’s right for you.
If you’re in emotional distress, text HOME to connect with a counselor immediately.
Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for 24/7 emotional support.
If you’re having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local ER.
