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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you've made the choice to seek help for a phobia, you've taken a huge first step. Start by talking to your primary care doctor. If it seems that you have a genuine phobia, you may be referred to a mental health provider for further evaluation and treatment. These suggestions can help you get the most from your appointment.
- Write down all the symptoms you're experiencing, even if they seem unrelated to your anxiety. Phobias generally cause both physical and psychological distress. Be sure to note what triggers your anxiety, how you have tried to deal with it, and factors that make it better or worse.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking. Better yet, take the original bottles and a written list of the dosages and directions.
Although your doctor is likely to ask you a lot of questions about your symptoms and concerns, you should be prepared to ask questions, too. For example:
- What might have caused me to develop this fear?
- Are there possible causes for my symptoms?
- How will you determine my diagnosis?
- Is this something that will go away on its own? Or, is there anything I can do on my own to improve my symptoms? For instance, if I'm afraid to fly, should I try to make myself fly anyway?
- What treatments do you recommend for this disorder?
- What are the side effects of medications commonly used for this condition?
- If I decide to take medications, how long will it take for my symptoms to improve?
- If the first medication I try isn't effective, what will you recommend next?
- Would talk therapy help me?
- How much improvement can I expect if I follow your recommended treatment plan?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
In addition to your prepared questions, don't hesitate to ask questions at any time during your appointment when you don't understand something your doctor says.
- Let's talk facts about phobias. American Psychiatric Association. http://healthyminds.org/multimedia/phobias.pdf. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Kendler KS, et al. A longitudinal twin study of fears from middle childhood to early adulthood: Evidence for a developmentally dynamic genome. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2008;65(4):421-429.
- Ciechanowski P, et al. Overview of phobic disorders in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Social phobia (Social anxiety disorder). National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/social-phobia/index.shtml. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Anxiety disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/complete-publication.shtml. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Fava GA, et al. Long-term outcome of social phobia treated by exposure. Psychological Medicine. 2001;31:899-905.
- Agoraphobia. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Specific phobias. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Social phobia. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Mancini C. Social phobia in children and adolescents. Canadian Psychiatric Association. http://ww1.cpa-apc.org:8080/Publications/Archives/Bulletin/2001/May/Social.asp. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Bruce TJ, et al. Social anxiety disorder: A common unrecognized social disorder. American Family Physician. 1999;60(8):2311-2322.
