Complications
Anxiety disorders may predate, co-occur with, or postdate the onset of phobias. While patients may present for treatment of specific phobia, it may be necessary to consider treatment of other anxiety disorders.
Comorbid anxiety disorders are amenable to cognitive behavioural therapy.
Mild to moderate comorbid anxiety disorders can be treated with evidence-based pharmacotherapy.
Consultant referrals are warranted for more severe levels of anxiety.
Depressive disorders may predate, co-occur with, or postdate the onset of phobias. Depressive symptoms may interfere with the patient's ability to engage in exposure therapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are evidence-based treatments for comorbid depressive disorders.
Moderate to severe levels of depression can be treated with evidence-based pharmacotherapy.
Consultant referrals are warranted for more severe levels of depression.
Phobic responses may interfere with necessary medical treatments. For example, patients with blood-injection-injury phobias are at higher risk of non-compliance with diabetic treatment regimens.[120]
It is important to take patients' concerns and preferences seriously as well as to provide information about evidence-based treatment options (i.e., different forms of exposure therapy).
It is important to listen carefully to patients’ concerns and take them seriously. Address each concern individually and provide corrective information when appropriate. Motivational techniques are often helpful when patients are ambivalent.
Consult local-area mental health professionals for additional advice or referral options.
Recommend self-help books or internet programmes to patients who refuse referrals to mental health providers.
Patients may benefit from internet-based education materials, such as those available from the NHS, MIND, and Living Life to the Full. NHS: self-help therapies Opens in new window MIND: self-care tips for phobias Opens in new window LLttF: courses to tackle low mood and stress Opens in new window
It is important to listen carefully to patients’ concerns and take them seriously. Address each concern individually and provide corrective information when appropriate. Motivational techniques are often helpful when patients are ambivalent.
Consult local-area mental health professionals for additional advice or referral options.
Recommend self-help books or internet programmes to patients who refuse referrals to mental health providers.
Patients may benefit from internet-based education materials, such as those available from the NHS, MIND, and Living Life to the Full. NHS: self-help therapies Opens in new window MIND: self-care tips for phobias Opens in new window LLttF: courses to tackle low mood and stress Opens in new window
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