title: Phobias and their management.
abstract: Disabling phobias and phobia like compulsive rituals are surprisingly common in the general population, though only a minority ask for help. Behavioural treatment (exposure) and antidepressants are the most helpful approaches. Most patients can help themselves if they use a self exposure approach systematically under the guidance of a clinician. The method seems well suited for use by general practitioners. Anti-depressants are a useful adjuvant, not a substitute, for exposure when there is evidence of depression complicating the phobias or rituals.
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010358:Patient Participation; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis