Phobias

A phobia is an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little to no real danger. It’s a type of anxiety disorder and can significantly disrupt daily life. Common phobias include fear of specific things, like spiders (arachnophobia), heights (acrophobia), or flying (aviophobia). Social phobia, or social anxiety, involves a fear of social situations where you might feel judged or embarrassed. Agoraphobia is the fear of places where escape may be difficult, such as open or crowded spaces. People with phobias often go out of their way to avoid what scares them, and facing these fears can trigger severe anxiety or panic attacks. Treatment for phobias can help manage these symptoms and reduce the impact on daily life.

Common Phobias in Adults

These phobias can significantly impact daily life and often require treatment to manage effectively.

What you may not be aware of about
phobias...

1

There are over 400
recognised phobias

2

Specific phobias often
result from traumatic
experiences and may also
have a genetic component

3

An estimated 10% of
Australians suffer
experience extreme,
irrational fears or phobia

4

4.6% of Australians
experience agoraphobia in
any 12-month period

What the research says
about treatment for phobias

Phobias, those intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations, are more common than you might think. Whether it’s a fear of heights, spiders, or flying, phobias can significantly impact daily life. But the good news is that there’s a lot of research on how to effectively treat them.

When it comes to understanding phobias, research suggests that they often develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Sometimes, a traumatic event involving the feared object or situation can trigger a phobia. Other times, it might be learned from family members or even through media exposure.

So, what does the research say about the best ways to treat phobias? Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) stands out as a particularly effective approach. CBT helps individuals understand and change their thought patterns and behaviours related to their fear. Exposure therapy, a component of CBT, is especially powerful. It involves gradually and repeatedly exposing individuals to their feared object or situation in a controlled and safe way, which helps them learn that their fear is unfounded and manageable.

Another effective treatment is systematic desensitisation, which combines relaxation techniques with gradual exposure. By teaching relaxation skills, individuals can stay calm when facing their fears, making it easier to confront and eventually overcome them.

Virtual reality exposure therapy is an emerging and promising approach. It uses technology to create a simulated environment where individuals can face their fears without real-world risks. This can be particularly useful for phobias that are hard to recreate in real life, like flying or heights.

Medications aren’t typically the first line of treatment for phobias, but they can be helpful in some cases. Anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications might be prescribed to help manage symptoms, especially if the phobia is causing significant distress or interfering with daily functioning.

Ultimately, the research shows that with the right treatment, people with phobias can make significant progress and regain control over their lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with a phobia, it’s encouraging to know that effective help is available.

Our Psychologists, highly qualified with Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology, provide treatment for Phobias. They use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), the gold standard for many psychological issues, along with
other evidence-based treatments like Mindfulness and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).