Other treatment options for phobias

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Antidepressant medicines

These are commonly used to treat depression, but they also help to reduce the symptoms of phobias (particularly agoraphobia and social phobia), even if you are not depressed. They work by interfering with brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin which may be involved in causing anxiety symptoms.

Antidepressants do not work straight away. It takes 2-4 weeks before their effect builds up. A common problem is that some people stop the medicine after a week or so as they feel that it is doing no good. You need to give it time.
Antidepressants are not tranquillisers, and are not usually addictive.
There are several types of antidepressants, each with various 'pros and cons'. For example, they differ in their possible side-effects. However, SSRI antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the ones most commonly used for anxiety and phobic disorders.
Note: after first starting an antidepressant, in some people anxiety symptoms become worse for a few days before they start to improve.

A combination of cognitive-behaviour therapy and an SSRI antidepressant may work better in some cases than either treatment alone.

Benzodiazepines such as diazepam

These medicines are sometimes called 'minor tranquilisers'. They work well to ease symptoms of anxiety. The problem is, they are addictive and can lose their effect if you take them for more than a few weeks. They may also make you drowsy. Therefore, they are not a useful long-term treatment of phobias. However, a short course, or even a single dose, may be useful for a phobia which occurs rarely. For example, if you have a fear of flying in a plane, a short course just before a flight may help.

Further help information and advice

National Phobics Society Zion Community Resource Centre, 339 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4ZY Tel: 0870 122 2325 Web: www.phobics-society.org.uk

NO PANIC (National Organisation For Phobias, Anxiety, Neuroses, Information & Care) 93 Brands Farm Way, Randlay, Telford, Shropshire TF3 2JQ Helpline: 0808 808 0545 Web: www.nopanic.org.uk

Triumph Over Phobia (TOP UK) PO Box 3760, Bath, BA2 3WY Tel: 0845 600 9601 Web: www.triumphoverphobia.com
Runs a national network of structured, self-help groups for adults (16+) suffering from phobias.

Dental Anxiety & Phobia Association 104 Harley Street, London, W1G 7JD Tel: 020 7935 8092 Web: www.healthyteeth.com

Gut Reaction Web: www.gut-reaction.freeserve.co.uk
Gut Reaction was formed in 1994 by a life-long sufferer of emetophobia, a fear of vomiting

Needlephobia.co.uk Web: www.needlephobia.co.uk
Needlephobia's correct name is "Belonephobia". It can be defined as a fear of sharp objects such as pins or needles. This website, run by Smith & Nephew, includes information for the general public and professionals affected by this issue with regard to healthcare.

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies Web: www.babcp.com
Their website has lots of information on CBT, and a 'Find a Therapist' facility.

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