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Phobias

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

What treatments are available? 

If you want treatment for your phobia, the first place to go is normally your family doctor. They can provide an assessment and explain what treatments are available. 

Your family doctor should explain all of your options, and your views should be taken into account before starting any treatment. 

What if my phobia prevents me from seeking help? 

It can sometimes be very difficult to seek help for a phobia, especially if making or attending an appointment with your family doctor involves experiencing the situation or object that you are fearful of, such as talking on the telephone or leaving the house. If you are worried about visiting your family doctor you could try: 

  • Asking the doctor if they offer home visits or telephone assessments. If not, they might be able to book you an appointment at a time when the surgery is normally at its quietest. 
  • Some clinics will allow you to give consent for someone you trust to ring up and book appointments on your behalf, and sit with you during consultations. If your clinic won’t allow this, it can sometimes help to just have someone walk with you to your appointments and wait for you in the waiting room. 

See Mind HK’s online resource Seeking help for a mental health problem for more information. 

There are no treatment guidelines specifically about phobias, but three main types of treatment are recommended for anxiety and panic disorders by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE):

  • advice and information about self-help – such as self-help books or online programmes, support groups or relaxation
  • talking treatments 
  • medication. 

Talking treatments

Our talking treatments section has details on these therapies, and information on how to access them.

Your doctor or mental health professional can explain the options available in your area and help you find the right talking treatment for you. Unfortunately, sometimes waiting lists for talking treatments can be long. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) aims to identify connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and to help develop practical skills to manage any patterns that might be causing you problems. When CBT is used to treat phobias, it can include a range of techniques, including exposure therapy (or desensitisation). 

You may be offered a programme of CBT using a workbook or a computer, which you can follow either by yourself or in addition to sessions with a therapist. This might be particularly helpful if you experience social phobia or agoraphobia, as you can complete the therapy in your own home. 

“Cognitive Behavioural Therapy changed my life. Through using self-help books, and having professional CBT, I slowly learned how to change my negative thoughts to more realistic ones, and to finally overcome some of my deeply entrenched phobias.”

Exposure therapy 

Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing you to the object or situation you fear, in a safe and controlled way. For example, if you have a phobia of going to the dentist, you might read about the dentist, then look at a picture of a dentist’s chair, sit in the waiting room and talk to the dentist, before finally sitting in the dentist’s chair. You will agree each of these steps with your therapist. 

Through repeated experiences of facing your fear, you may feel an increasing sense of control over your phobia. This technique needs to be carefully managed to avoid causing distress and anxiety, so it is important that you understand the treatment fully and feel comfortable with your therapist. 

Hypnotherapy 

Some people who have phobias find hypnotherapy helpful for relieving their symptoms.

Medication

If your phobia causes significant anxiety, you may be offered medication. Currently, there are three classes of drugs considered useful in managing anxiety. These are: 

  • antidepressants 
  • tranquillisers (benzodiazepines) 
  • beta-blockers. 

These are only available through your doctor or a psychiatrist and are not available over the counter. 

Antidepressants 

The most commonly prescribed drugs to treat anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. These drugs can be helpful but may cause side effects such as sleep problems and increased anxiety. If SSRIs don’t work or aren’t suitable, you may be offered a tricyclic antidepressant. (See Antidepressants.) 

If you have social phobia, you may be offered the reversible MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) antidepressant moclobemide (Manerix). MAOI antidepressants interact dangerously with certain foods and a warning about which foods to avoid is given with the drugs in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). 

Tranquillisers 

If you experience very severe anxiety that is having a significant impact on your day-to-day life, you may be offered a benzodiazepine tranquilliser, such as diazepam (Valium), to reduce anxiety. Benzodiazepines can be addictive so they should be taken at a low dose and for a short period of time, preferably as a one-off dose and for no longer than four weeks. (See Sleeping pills and minor tranquillisers for more information.) 

Beta-blockers 

Beta-blockers such as propranolol are sometimes used to treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a rapid heartbeat, palpitations and tremors (shaking). However, beta-blockers are not psychiatric drugs so they don’t reduce any of the psychological symptoms. They may be helpful in certain situations if you have to face a phobia, such as going on an aeroplane. 

Beta-blockers can cause side effects, such as sleep problems and nightmares, but they don’t have withdrawal symptoms and are not addictive. Due to the effects they have on the heart and blood pressure, you should stop taking them gradually, by slowly reducing the dose. (For more information, see Coming off psychiatric drugs.)

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

What treatments are available?

What treatments are available? 

If you want treatment for your phobia, the first place to go is normally your family doctor. They can provide an assessment and explain what treatments are available. 

Your family doctor should explain all of your options, and your views should be taken into account before starting any treatment. 

What if my phobia prevents me from seeking help? 

It can sometimes be very difficult to seek help for a phobia, especially if making or attending an appointment with your family doctor involves experiencing the situation or object that you are fearful of, such as talking on the telephone or leaving the house. If you are worried about visiting your family doctor you could try: 

  • Asking the doctor if they offer home visits or telephone assessments. If not, they might be able to book you an appointment at a time when the surgery is normally at its quietest. 
  • Some clinics will allow you to give consent for someone you trust to ring up and book appointments on your behalf, and sit with you during consultations. If your clinic won't allow this, it can sometimes help to just have someone walk with you to your appointments and wait for you in the waiting room. 

See Mind HK's online resource Seeking help for a mental health problem for more information. 

There are no treatment guidelines specifically about phobias, but three main types of treatment are recommended for anxiety and panic disorders by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE):

  • advice and information about self-help – such as self-help books or online programmes, support groups or relaxation
  • talking treatments 
  • medication. 

Talking treatments

Our talking treatments section has details on these therapies, and information on how to access them.

Your doctor or mental health professional can explain the options available in your area and help you find the right talking treatment for you. Unfortunately, sometimes waiting lists for talking treatments can be long. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) aims to identify connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and to help develop practical skills to manage any patterns that might be causing you problems. When CBT is used to treat phobias, it can include a range of techniques, including exposure therapy (or desensitisation). 

You may be offered a programme of CBT using a workbook or a computer, which you can follow either by yourself or in addition to sessions with a therapist. This might be particularly helpful if you experience social phobia or agoraphobia, as you can complete the therapy in your own home. 

“Cognitive Behavioural Therapy changed my life. Through using self-help books, and having professional CBT, I slowly learned how to change my negative thoughts to more realistic ones, and to finally overcome some of my deeply entrenched phobias.”

Exposure therapy 

Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing you to the object or situation you fear, in a safe and controlled way. For example, if you have a phobia of going to the dentist, you might read about the dentist, then look at a picture of a dentist’s chair, sit in the waiting room and talk to the dentist, before finally sitting in the dentist’s chair. You will agree each of these steps with your therapist. 

Through repeated experiences of facing your fear, you may feel an increasing sense of control over your phobia. This technique needs to be carefully managed to avoid causing distress and anxiety, so it is important that you understand the treatment fully and feel comfortable with your therapist. 

Hypnotherapy 

Some people who have phobias find hypnotherapy helpful for relieving their symptoms.

Medication

If your phobia causes significant anxiety, you may be offered medication. Currently, there are three classes of drugs considered useful in managing anxiety. These are: 

  • antidepressants 
  • tranquillisers (benzodiazepines) 
  • beta-blockers. 

These are only available through your doctor or a psychiatrist and are not available over the counter. 

Antidepressants 

The most commonly prescribed drugs to treat anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. These drugs can be helpful but may cause side effects such as sleep problems and increased anxiety. If SSRIs don't work or aren't suitable, you may be offered a tricyclic antidepressant. (See Antidepressants.) 

If you have social phobia, you may be offered the reversible MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) antidepressant moclobemide (Manerix). MAOI antidepressants interact dangerously with certain foods and a warning about which foods to avoid is given with the drugs in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). 

Tranquillisers 

If you experience very severe anxiety that is having a significant impact on your day-to-day life, you may be offered a benzodiazepine tranquilliser, such as diazepam (Valium), to reduce anxiety. Benzodiazepines can be addictive so they should be taken at a low dose and for a short period of time, preferably as a one-off dose and for no longer than four weeks. (See Sleeping pills and minor tranquillisers for more information.) 

Beta-blockers 

Beta-blockers such as propranolol are sometimes used to treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a rapid heartbeat, palpitations and tremors (shaking). However, beta-blockers are not psychiatric drugs so they don’t reduce any of the psychological symptoms. They may be helpful in certain situations if you have to face a phobia, such as going on an aeroplane. 

Beta-blockers can cause side effects, such as sleep problems and nightmares, but they don’t have withdrawal symptoms and are not addictive. Due to the effects they have on the heart and blood pressure, you should stop taking them gradually, by slowly reducing the dose. (For more information, see Coming off psychiatric drugs.)