nvolve animals, closed spaces, high places, being alone or being injured. However, although these top phobias occur the most frequently doesn’t mean that they are necessarily more debilitating than the more unusual phobias.
Phobia Risk Factors
Common risk factors of phobias include:
- Hereditary anxiety issues
- Socioeconomic standing
Phobias and Substance Abuse
Like other anxiety disorders, specific phobias often co-occur with substance abuse. Alcohol and drugs may be used to take the edge off the individual’s persistent fears or to help him or her cope with depression caused by self-isolation. Substance abuse can temporarily mask the presence of a phobia. A neuropsychological evaluation is often required to distinguish between the symptoms of an anxiety disorder and the side effects of drug or alcohol abuse.
Each type of phobia has its own unique set of diagnostic criteria. However, there are some overlaps. Diagnostic criteria that are similar for all phobias include:
- Life-limiting: the condition significantly impacts the person’s life
- Avoidance: extreme attempts to avoid the feared situation
- Anticipatory anxiety: tendency to dwell on upcoming events that may feature the feared object or situation
Many effective therapies and phobia treatment options are available to help people. Several therapeutic strategies are successful, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Originally developed for the treatment of depression, CBT has been applied to the treatment of anxiety disorders and even phobias. This therapeutic approach aims to change the repetitive thought patterns that lead to self-defeating behaviors and distorted perceptions of the world. A person with a specific phobia, for instance, might learn to replace persistent worries about a situation or object with positive, reassuring self-talk.
- Exposure therapy: In exposure therapy, the patient is gradually exposed to the object of fear in a controlled environment. The ultimate goal is to introduce the patient to the subject of the phobia in a real-world setting. A person who is afraid of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), for example, might set a goal of riding alone in an elevator without panicking. Exposure therapy must be performed at an appropriate pace to avoid overwhelming the patient.
- Psychiatric medications: Antidepressants in the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) category have been used to treat specific phobias and other anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepine drugs may be prescribed on an as-needed basis for individuals whose anxiety attacks are limited to specific situations. However, because benzodiazepines have a high potential for dependence and abuse, their use must be carefully controlled.
- Relaxation techniques: Guided meditation, yoga, exercise therapy, music and art therapy, and massage therapy are a few of the relaxing practices that can help reduce stress and minimize anxiety symptoms in people with specific phobias.
If you or a loved one have a drug or alcohol addiction and a co-occurring phobia, The Recovery Village can help. To learn more about our dual diagnosis care, call The Recovery Village today and speak with a representative.
Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.