Prognosis

Longitudinal studies have shown that specific phobias have a variable course, with relative exacerbations and improvements in symptoms over time. These studies have found that persistence of specific phobia diagnosis was roughly 20% at 1- to 12-year follow-up (range 6% to 38%).[3][115][116][117] Up to 90% of patients reach clinically significant levels of improvement after treatment with exposure therapy.[118][119] Most treatment gains are maintained after 1 year of treatment; however, further research is required to determine longer-term outcomes.[56] The probability of relapse is most likely reduced by scheduling periodic 'booster' sessions with a therapist and through continued practice of self-directed exposures.

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