Individuals who suffer from<unk>  often improve their symptoms from specific strategies and procedures employed by therapists and medical professionals. It is extremely important to note that if left untreated,<unk>  could lead to other mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and/or panic-attacks. * Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)<unk>  can be managed through a psychological tool known as Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps patients learn how to identify and manipulate disturbing thought patterns into positive and realistic behaviors. Psychologists and therapists employ CBT to inflict a negative influence on certain behavior and emotions so that they will be replaced by more appropriate and realistic reactions. A meta-analysis study in 2013 found that CBT has a positive effect in changing the neural pathways and activation of the brain on patients with phobias, resulting in more controlled behavior when exposed to the fear. * Systematic desensitization Systematic desensitization is a treatment in which patients who suffer from certain phobias are exposed to increasingly more anxiety-provoking stimuli and taught relaxation techniques simultaneously. Majority of individuals who have<unk>  actively avoid the situation they are afraid of, which in return creates a false and even more frightening fake reality. Systematic desensitization techniques allow patients to confront their fear with controlled emotions and realistic views. It involves three steps, the first involves learning muscle relaxation techniques followed by patients being asked to create a list of fearful scenarios, ranking them in terms of their intensity. Finally, the patients are instructed to face their fear on a gradual spectrum. The focus of this technique is to focus on relaxation as they put themselves through stressful situations until the environment/event no longer causes discomfort. The underlying theory behind systemic desensitization is classical conditioning which aims to replace feelings of fear and anxiety with a state of calm. Relaxation techniques taught for dealing with<unk>  through systemic desensitization include diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and mindfulness. * Exposure therapy Exposure therapy is the act of an individual coming into close contact with the situation or environment that triggers their phobia in a safe way. The overall goal of exposure therapy is to prove to the patient that a situation, object, or environment is not as dangerous or worrisome as they might believe. This treatment also allows patients to feel more confident in their ability to cope with the situation that frightens them; should they face the situation they are afraid of. In the case of<unk> , exposure therapy is employed to lessen the fear and anxiety associated with large bodies of water. There are several variations of exposure therapy and psychologists may use different techniques to achieve optimal results. These variations include: In vivo exposure: This is a technique whereby patients are instructed to directly face a feared object, situation, or activity in real life. Those who suffer from<unk>  are often instructed to enter the water at beaches, lakes, or ponds. The downside of in vivo exposure is that participants have high dropout rates and poor treatment acceptance compared to other therapy options. Interoceptive exposure: Deliberately inducing physical sensations that are harmless, yet feared. For instance, individuals with<unk>  are often shown images of the sea, oceans, lakes, or video footage of people in water. This induces a reaction which can then be changed or manipulated by the therapist. Virtual reality exposure: In certain circumstances, virtual reality technology can be employed when in vivo exposure is not practical. This could include when an individual doesn't reside near beaches, oceans, or lakes. It can also include when some other factor inhibits the patient from entering such environments (including health, personal, or religious factors). Imaginal exposure: Vividly imagining the feared situation, object, or environment. This technique is commonly used for those who have had a past traumatic experience or witnessed an event leading to their diagnosis of<unk> . It allows individuals to reduce their feelings of fear in regards to certain triggers. * Medication Most patients improve or completely eliminate all their symptoms of<unk>  through therapy; however, some might require a combination of therapy and medication to accurately treat their symptoms. Medication cannot cure phobias such as<unk>  however, it can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and fear. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (commonly known as SSRIs) are a type of antidepressants which can be prescribed by a qualified physician. Other common medication used for treating<unk>  include beta blockers (which assist by blocking the flow of adrenaline that occurs when one is anxious) and benzodiazepines (fast-acting anti-anxiety medication). Benzodiazepines should be prescribed only when other therapeutic or medicinal options have not worked as they are sedative and addicting.
Thalassophobia
Trypophobia
Gymnophobia
Hodophobia
Thermophobia
Pseudophobia
Neophobia
Mysophobia