A phobia is an intense fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. And although the intensity of the fear is irrational, it feels very real — and it has the power to significantly impact your quality of life.
Fortunately, therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat a phobia. The psychiatrists and psychotherapists at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy for phobia treatment, and these methods could help you manage your fear and improve your life. Here’s how they work.
CBT is a structured form of therapy that focuses on changing the negative thought patterns and behaviors you’ve associated with your phobia. The central idea behind CBT is that all your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and modifying unhealthy thought patterns can lead to more positive behaviors and emotional well-being.
For phobias, we use CBT to help you recognize and challenge irrational fears. For example, if you have a fear of flying, your therapist can help you understand the unrealistic nature of your fear and replace negative, catastrophic thoughts like “The plane will crash,” with more rational ones, like “Flying is statistically one of the safest ways to travel.”
Over time, CBT helps reduce the intensity of your fear response, so you can face your phobia with more confidence. And not only do the skills you learn in CBT help you manage your current phobia, but they also provide you with tools to handle other anxiety-inducing situations in the future.
Exposure therapy is a type of CBT, and it can be particularly helpful for treating phobias. This therapy involves gradually exposing you to your fear in a controlled and safe environment. The goal is to desensitize you to your phobia by increasing your tolerance and reducing your automatic fear response.
We typically follow a step-by-step process in exposure therapy, but each patient’s treatment varies based on their needs. For example, if you fear spiders, your therapist might first ask you to imagine a spider, then gradually progress to looking at pictures of spiders, being in the same room with a spider, and finally, handling one.
The slow, incremental exposure allows your mind and body to become accustomed to the object or situation, which helps diminish the sense of danger you associate with it. By consistently confronting your fear in this controlled way, your phobia begins to lose its grip on your daily life.
Sometimes, we prescribe medication to complement therapy for phobia treatment. Medication for phobias can help reduce the physiological symptoms of anxiety, including rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling, which many people find makes it easier to engage in therapy.
Common medications for phobias include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and anti-anxiety medications such as the benzodiazepines. However, medication generally isn’t a long-term solution, and it’s most effective when combined with therapy.
Living with a phobia can feel debilitating, but it doesn't have to control your life. Therapy is a proven, effective treatment option to help you confront and overcome your fears. So if you have a phobia, take the first step toward reclaiming your life. Book an appointment at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates to get started.
