Phobias

Dear Dr. LeCrone:

I have suffered from anxiety for years but have now developed some phobic behavior. I remember you have written on phobias in the past and wonder if you could repeat this information?
-A reader in Texas

Dear Reader:

Social phobias – a fear of scrutiny from others in public places. The problem can isolate a person to a life of loneliness. Those with social phobias frequently suffer from lowered self-esteem and beliefs that others consider them objects of ridicule.

Simple and specific phobias – characterized by fears of specific things or situations, such as storms, heights, and animals. The diagnosis of simple phobia is made if the avoidant behavior produced by the fear interferes with the person’s normal routine, usual social activities or relationships, or there is intense distress and uneasiness associated with the fear.

Agoraphobia – chronic anxiety associated with fear of open or closed places, crowded places, unfamiliar places, being alone or feeling trapped.

Professional assistance is often very helpful in treating phobias. Some treatment methods include:

Psychotherapy. Behavioral therapies include stress management and exposure to the feared object or situation that are coupled with relaxation procedures used to diminish the anxiety.

Cognitive-behavior therapy also helps correct distorted and irrational thoughts. In group therapy individuals help each other explore alternatives to anxiety. One of the cornerstones of this approach is helping the patient regain confidence in his or her ability to control the anxiety through self-control procedures.

Psychotherapeutic techniques can help phobia suffers deal with the “anticipatory anxiety,” which is found in many forms of phobia. Phobic sufferers readily relate to the need to battle the “fear of the fear.”

Social skills training, such as role playing and assertiveness training can also help.

Psychotropic medications can often speed up the process of recovery. These should be prescribed by professionals trained in the treatment of phobias and anxiety disorders. There are now a number of medications available for these problems.

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) offers information and help for people with anxiety disorders and related conditions.

They can be contacted by writing Anxiety Disorders Association of America, 8730 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600, Silver Springs MD 20910, or be found on the Internet at www.adaa.org.

Anxiety disorders are treated by a variety of health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurses.