title: Phobias. How to help patients overcome irrational fears.
abstract: When phobias compromise a person's normal lifestyle or cause ongoing anxiety, they must be dealt with. Irrational, persistent fears may lead to isolation, depression, even substance abuse. What are the features of agoraphobia? Social phobia? Simple phobia? How common are these anxiety disorders? The authors answer these questions and discuss differential diagnosis and treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Blumenreich
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lippmann
mesh_terms: D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy