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 behavioral therapy.
Mild to moderate comorbid anxiety disorders can be treated with evidence-based pharmacotherapy.
Specialist 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 behavioral 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.
Specialist 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 noncompliance with diabetic treatment regimens.[119]
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 programs to patients who refuse referrals to mental health providers.
Patients may benefit from internet-based education materials available from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. NIMH: anxiety disorders Opens in new window Anxiety and Depression Association of America 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 programs to patients who refuse referrals to mental health providers.
Patients may benefit from internet-based education materials available from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. NIMH: anxiety disorders Opens in new window Anxiety and Depression Association of America Opens in new window
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