Phobic Disorder Treatment Centers for Women | Sovereign Health of Arizona

Individuals with phobic disorder have a strong and irrational reaction of fear toward common situations and may work hard to avoid these triggers at any cost. This reaction can be in the presence or anticipation of the subject of the phobia.

Phobias can interfere with regular life, taking a toll on home and work, self-esteem, relationships and other areas of the person’s life. Phobias can develop in childhood, but most of the time they will appear unexpectedly during adolescence and early adulthood. An individual can be afraid of clowns, snakes, spiders, flying, confined spaces, public speaking and more. The specific type of phobia depends on the object or situation that is feared; for example, animal phobias (dogs), situational phobias (flying), natural environment phobias (water), blood/injection/injury phobias and other phobias.

Symptoms Of Phobic Disorder

A person with a specific phobia knows that this fear is irrational, but he or she cannot control it. In some cases, even the thought of the subject of the phobia can be paralyzing or cause anxiety. Symptoms of phobic disorder will depend on the specific phobia, but in general they will include feelings of anxiety such as:

A feeling of pending danger
The need to escape
Heart palpitations
Sweating, chills or a flush of heat
Trembling or a tingling sensation
Shortness of breath, smothering or choking feelings

Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea or abdominal discomfort
Feeling faint or dizzy
A fear of losing control or going insane
A fear of dying

Treatment Of Phobias

Phobias are the result of anxiety symptoms brought on by a specific thing or situation, which creates lasting and unreasonable fear that seriously interferes with a person’s daily life. However, this issue is treatable; with proper phobia treatment, a person can return to a happy lifestyle. The length of the treatment can depends on the individual and on whether or not the person is also dealing with a mental health disorder or addiction. This makes it important to identify and treat all underlying causes, so the individual can make a thorough recovery. Phobia treatment should be specific to the individual, but it will normally include medication, therapy, alternative forms of therapy or a combination of these.

The use of medication for treatment of phobias is normally both safe and effective and will be used alongside therapy. Medication can be used for either short- or long-term treatment, depending on the severity of the symptoms. The four main types of medications used for the treatment of phobias are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants.

When choosing medication, it is important to discuss any medical history with your doctor, along with any previous medications that have been used. Additionally, it is important to monitor the use of the medication to prevent a possible addiction and communicate any side affects with your doctor.

The most common and effective form of therapy for phobias is cognitive behavioral therapy; other therapies can include dialectical-behavior therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). These different therapies can help to identify negative thinking and replace it with constructive thinking, help deal with irrational thinking, reduce disturbing thoughts and teach the person valuable skills and tools to help him or her deal with triggers and stressors in daily life. Along with regular or traditional therapy, alternative forms of therapy are also helpful in the treatment of phobias. This can include methods such as yoga or meditation.

Phobia Treatment at Sovereign Health

Sovereign Health’s women-only phobia treatment centers in Chandler, Arizona, specialize in the treatment of trauma and abuse. Female patients at Sovereign Health of Arizona receive a thorough assessment upon admission by our experienced staff of clinicians, who diagnose any and all underlying trauma conditions, such as other mental health disorders or addictions.

Sovereign Health of Arizona recognizes each patient’s unique needs and circumstances by providing personalized treatment plans tailored to the person’s specific treatment needs. We offer holistic programming to aid in the rehabilitation of brain functioning, educate our patients on life skills and equip them with the tools they need to lead productive lives and avoid relapse.

Therapeutic activities – such as equine therapy, art therapy, music, yoga, meditation and exercise – are included in our brain wellness program. Sovereign Health of Arizona provides its female patients with a residential rehab in a safe and supportive environment where they can focus on their recovery.

Sovereign Health’s women’s center accepts most major health insurance plans. For further information about phobia treatment, please call our 24/7 helpline to speak with a member of our admissions team.