How are phobias treated?
Both therapy and medicines may be helpful in treating a phobia. One type of behavior therapy is called flooding. This involves overloading you with whatever it is that you are afraid of. Another technique is called exposure with response prevention. For example, if you wash your hands all the time because you are afraid of being dirty, the therapist might have you touch something dirty. Then the two of you might stand at the sink without washing hands until the anxiety goes away. Desensitization slowly gets you used to the idea of the feared object or situation. All of these involve teaching you that you can safely be around the situation or the object. Usually, the fear reaches a certain point and then decreases. These techniques take advantage of that fact. Hypnosis can also be very helpful in treating phobias. Learning yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques can help control anxiety. Certain medicines can be very helpful while you are learning how to confront the object of your
