What is the treatment for phobias?
Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you to change certain ways that you think, feel and behave. It is a useful treatment for various mental health problems, including phobias.
- Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that certain ways of thinking can trigger, or 'fuel', certain mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and phobias. The therapist helps you to understand your current thought patterns. In particular, to identify any harmful, unhelpful, and 'false' ideas or attitudes which you have that can make you anxious. The aim is then to change your ways of thinking to avoid these ideas. Also, to help your thought patterns to be more realistic and helpful.
- Behaviour therapy aims to change any behaviours which are harmful or not helpful. For example, with phobias your response to the feared object (anxiety and avoidance) is not helpful. The therapist helps you to change this. Various techniques are used, depending on the condition and circumstances.
- For example, for agoraphobia the therapist will usually help you to face up to feared situations, a little bit at a time. A first step may be to go for a very short walk from your home with the therapist who gives support and advice. Over time, a longer walk may be possible, and then a walk to the shops, then a trip on a bus, etc. The therapist may teach you how to control anxiety when you face up to the feared situations and places. For example, by using deep breathing exercises. This technique of behaviour therapy is called 'exposure therapy' where you are exposed more and more to feared situations, and learn how to cope.
- Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) is a mixture of the two where you may benefit from changing both thoughts and behaviours.
CBT is usually done in weekly sessions of about 50 minutes each, for several weeks. You have to take an active part, and are given 'homework' between sessions. For example, you may be asked to keep a diary of your thoughts which occur when you become anxious.
Note: unlike other forms of talking treatments (psychotherpy), CBT does not 'look into the events of the past'. CBT aims to deal with your current thought processes and/or behaviours, and helps to change them where appropriate.
CBT usually works well to treat most phobias, but does not suit everyone. However, it is not available on the NHS in all areas.
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