How is arithmophobia treated?

How is arithmophobia treated?

Arithmophobia treatment may include a variety of approaches. You may try:

• Exposure therapy is often the first treatment. Most people who practice exposure therapy as directed notice their symptoms decrease. Exposure therapy involves gradually interacting with a specific fear. You may imagine doing tasks that involve numbers, eventually working your way up to doing the tasks in real life.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves speaking with a therapist. You learn to identify which of your thoughts are unhelpful or untrue. CBT teaches you to retrain your brain to think rational thoughts.
• Hypnotherapy involves focused concentration and guided relaxation. A provider guides your mind to a state of such intense concentration that you are temporarily unaware of your surroundings. While in this state, you may respond better to suggestions or treatments. Hypnotherapy may increase the success of phobia treatment.
• Medications may be useful if you have an anxiety disorder. A variety of anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications can lessen the symptoms of anxiety or depression if they interfere with your life. But medications are not a cure for arithmophobia.