Short term treatment of phobias.

A phobia is an irrational fear. Many people have phobias but they require treatment only if their symptoms interfere with their daily lives. Simple supportive psychotherapy may be effective for mild phobias. Chemotherapy, particularly with antidepressants, will relieve some severe phobic states. Systematic desensitization, a behavior therapy well suited to physicians with an interest in hypnosis, can cure many incapacitating phobias.