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Most people with phobias do not get better on their own and require treatment. Psychotherapy is an effective way of treating most phobias. It is likely to focus on reducing anxieties and fears and managing reactions to fear-inducing stimuli. Cognitive behavior therapy is a common treatment for phobias.

Cognitive therapy involves learning new skills to react differently to situations that typically trigger anxiety. Patients also learn about negative thought patterns that increase anxiety and ways to redirect such thinking.

In the behavioral portion of therapy, the patient learns to change specific actions and to use different techniques to stop harmful behavior. The patient may learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and may be gradually exposed to situations that are frightening and in which the patient can test new coping skills. This is known as exposure therapy. For example, a person with fear of flying may first visit an airport. On a later visit, they will sit on an airplane that does not leave. Eventually, the patient will take a flight.

In addition, medications may be prescribed to help reduce the anxiety that patients feel. Antidepressant medications are usually effective in treating anxiety disorders, even in patients who are not depressed. These drugs sometimes take several weeks to become effective, so patients should not become discouraged if they do not see immediate improvement.

Anti-anxiety medications may also be prescribed. They are generally used only for short periods of time to stabilize an acute situation because patients may develop a physical and psychological dependence on them. Patients should not stop using anti-anxiety medications unless under close supervision of a physician because this may cause withdrawal symptoms.

The use of both antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications should be closely monitored. Patients should be aware that a physician may need to adjust the dosage or change medications to achieve the best results with minimal side effects. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in some patients, especially children and adolescents, and all people being treated with them should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior.

Beta-blocker medications – which are typically used to treat heart conditions – are also effective in treating some of the symptoms associated with phobias, particularly social phobia. These medications work by blocking the stimulating effect of the hormone adrenaline. Patients who know in advance that they soon will be in an anxiety-provoking situation – such as giving a speech – may use beta blockers to reduce symptoms such as a pounding heart or trembling hands.