What is the outcome?
The problem is not as serious as you may believe. It can be treated readily. Most people, especially those with a specific phobia, lead a
normal life. One of the most distressing problems, panic attacks, can also be treated.
What is the treatment?
Self-help To counter a phobia it is good to discipline yourself to adjust to it gradually. This is called desensitisation or graded exposure. For example, if agoraphobia makes you dread shopping, begin by visiting small local shops and then gradually move to larger shops until big shopping centres no longer seriously upset you.