A phobia is an intense fear of a specific object or situation. The fear is stronger than the actual risk, and the brain treats the situation as dangerous, leading to patterns of avoidance.
Common phobias that bring people to treatment include:
- claustrophobic situations (MRI scanners, elevators, airplanes, small/enclosed rooms)
- vomiting (fear of vomiting oneself or seeing someone vomit, fear of food poisoning/contamination, fear of the stomach flu, avoiding restaurants, travel, alcohol, pregnancy, etc.)
- choking/swallowing (choking on solid foods, pills, certain food textures)
- heights (tall buildings, balconies, ladders, elevators, etc.)
- driving (highways/interstates, bridges, driving alone, driving after an accident)
- flying in airplanes
- blood-injection-injuries (needles/injections, blood, medical procedures, dental procedures, injuries/wounds)
- animals (dogs, spiders, snakes, insects/bugs, bees/wasps)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), combined with exposure (gradual, step-by-step facing the fear), is the most effective treatment option for phobias and is practiced by all of our providers.
