Phobias are the most commonly experienced forms of anxiety disorders and there are several hundred unique, identified phobias. A phobia can range from fear of an everyday activity, such as driving a car, to fear of a unique entity, such as a particular building. Sufferers who have a specific kind of phobia will often experience a terrifying and often debilitating panic attack when confronted with the thing that frightens them.
In effect, whenever a phobic person encounters the entity or must complete the activity that they are so deeply afraid of, avoiding or escaping the situation becomes their primary goal. This can make it difficult for people with specific phobias to successfully function in the workplace, at school, or in society.
Many different things cause phobias. Some phobias can be successfully treated and eradicated without their catalyst ever being discovered. However, phobias are often traced to a traumatic experience involving the object that now triggers the anxiety.
The fact that phobias are usually linked to a difficult or painful memory is why talk therapy with an experienced psychoanalyst is often one of the most effective treatments for this disorder. Many types of anxiety disorders are best treated with medication. However, in the majority of cases, a sufferer of a specific phobia will find that medication is not their most effective treatment option.
Although no medication can fully rid an individual of his/her phobia, many people find that certain pharmacological choices can help to alleviate their symptoms while they are undergoing more extensive psychological therapy that will help cure their phobia. For example, somebody with a phobia of public speaking may find beta-blockers will help them to make presentations and speeches without having a panic attack. However, to fully cure their fears, the phobic individual will have to meet with a trained psychotherapist. When it comes to specific phobias, medication can be an important part of a treatment plan because certain pharmaceuticals can help a patient to be fully functional by treating his/her symptoms until the phobia is cured. If you are in treatment for a phobia that is interfering with your lifestyle, ask your therapist if pharmacological options can help you live a richer and fuller life by minimizing your symptoms while you continue long-term psychological treatment.
