Behavioral therapies are the most effective and among the most widely used in treating phobias, particularly specific phobias. They focus on changing specific actions and use several techniques to stop negative behavior. By confronting the objects of fear, patients become desensitized to them, and the phobic reactions are reduced or eliminated. In treating social phobia and agoraphobia, physicians may use cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition to confronting their fears, patients learn to understand how their thinking patterns contribute to their symptoms and how to change their thoughts to reduce or prevent the symptoms.
Medications are typically part of treatments for social phobia and agoraphobia.
Anti anxiety medications can reduce panic or anxiety in patients, allowing them to confront their phobic situations. Most patients respond well to treatment, and the success rates among those who receive treatment are usually very high, allowing patients to return to productive, fulfilling lives.