When you have lived with a fear for years, it is natural to want to know whether it can ever really go away. You deserve a straight answer rather than a sales pitch.
The honest answer
Phobias are widely seen as one of the most treatable kinds of anxiety, and many people find their fear fades to the point where it no longer affects their life. But nobody can honestly promise that for you before they have met you. Be wary of anyone who guarantees a cure.
The NHS puts it carefully: treatment can help you manage your symptoms. In practice, “better” can mean very different things for different people.
What “better” usually looks like
- you can do the thing you have been avoiding, even if you still feel a flicker of nerves
- the fear stops taking up space in your head days or weeks beforehand
- you stop planning your life around it
- for some people, the fear simply stops being a thing at all
What makes the biggest difference
- Getting help sooner. Fears tend to spread over time, so earlier is usually easier.
- The right specialist. Someone experienced with phobias, whom you feel comfortable with, in a language you think in.
- Practice between sessions. Small steps in real life help new responses stick.
- Looking after the basics. Sleep, caffeine and stress all affect how anxious you feel.
If the fear has been there all your life
That is very common, and it does not mean it is too late. Many people who come for help have had their fear since childhood.
Not sure where to start?
Answer three quick questions and we will match you with a phobia specialist who works in your language. You also get a free hypnosis session to help calm anxious moments.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If your fear comes with panic attacks, low mood or anything that worries you about your health, please speak to your GP or doctor. In the UK you can call NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.