Many people do not seek professional help for phobias and try to find their own way of coping, but there are different treatments available.

Talking treatments

These include counselling, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.

• Counselling is usually a weekly session that deals with specific problems.
• Psychotherapy is more in-depth, with a focus on finding and dealing with the root cause and ways for you to cope.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy explores thoughts, feelings and linked behaviour, combined with practical ways to deal with the phobia.

If you feel like one of these treatments could work for you, speak to your GP to find out whether they are available through your own surgery or if you can have a referral.

Many simple phobias can be treated using desensitization, which is a form of behaviour therapy. The therapist gradually exposes you to the situation or object of fear and as time goes on, you feel less anxious. Support can also be gained from a self-help group, where you can speak to others who are going through the same as you.

Treatment for social phobia usually involves a combination of cognitive behaviour therapy and antidepressants.

Medication is only recommended in the short term as it is best to see if other techniques, such as talking therapy, will work. The three main types of medicines that are used to treat anxiety issues, including phobias, are antidepressants, tranquillisers and beta-blockers.