Risk Increases With Family history of anxiety. Separation anxiety in childhood. Presence of another psychiatric disorder. Perfectionist type individual. No specific measure to prevent the phobia.
Techniques are available to prevent or control the reaction.
Possible Complications Lifestyle constrictions brought on by avoidance of the phobic stimulus. Agoraphobia in particular restricts an individual's activities and is severely disabling. Dependence on drugs or alcohol to overcome anxiety. Psychotherapy or counseling for severe phobias and for phobias that are life-style restricting. Several different types of therapy are used such as desensitization or flooding.