The good news is that researchers and therapists have developed treatment programs that bring about significant improvement and enable a vast majority of individuals with phobias to regain control of their lives. Medication has proven to be increasingly useful in controlling social phobia, panic and other symptoms that sometimes are associated with specific phobias.
Medication is most effective in combination with behavior and cognitive therapy.
A qualified psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or other mental health professional should be able to recognize a phobia and either treat it or arrange a referral to someone else who can. In many cases, a specialty center or support group can be located. The ADAA also operates a self-help network that can connect sufferers with a local support group. All Rights Reserved.