How to deal with animal/insect phobia?

Q: My 18 years old son is having a problem of phobia regarding animals and insects for the last 10 years. His heartbeat increases and he creates a scene when he see such insects. Please suggest.

A:You are right it seems that your son is suffering from a phobia. Phobias are successfully managed with combination therapies i.e. combination of treatment with medications and behaviour therapy. Therapy needs to be done consistently, and regularly irrespective of the initial increase of anxiety and according to the instructions of a psychologist. Besides visiting a clinical psychologist who has worked in the area, it would be most useful to visit a psychiatrist too.