Phobias at Work and in Daily Life: Assessment Led Guidance

Specialist CBT therapy for anxiety, OCD, depression and more in West London

A phobia can affect the working day in ways that are not always obvious to others. Commuting on public transport, using a lift, attending a meeting in an enclosed space, driving, travelling for work or being near a feared object or situation may all require significant effort. The energy spent managing anticipatory anxiety and avoidance can affect concentration, performance and the willingness to take on certain tasks. A guide cannot diagnose a phobia or determine whether avoidance is clinically significant. Avoidance can be connected with specific phobia, panic disorder, social anxiety, trauma, health anxiety, OCD or other difficulties. Physical symptoms, medication, neurodivergence and other factors can all affect a person's experience. New, severe or changing physical symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate medical professional. The Equality Act 2010 uses a functional test. In broad terms, a mental or physical condition may fall within the Act where it has a substantial and long term adverse effect on normal day to day activities. Whether that applies to a phobia in a particular situation depends on the facts. ACAS, a union, occupational health, an employer's people team, Citizens Advice or an appropriate employment solicitor may be useful sources of role specific information. A therapist can help a person understand how a phobia is affecting them, but therapy is not legal advice or representation. Deciding whether to tell an employer about a phobia is personal. A conversation might focus on a practical need, such as a different route to work, a ground floor workspace, adjusted travel requirements or a phased return after absence. There is no requirement to use a clinical label in every workplace conversation. CBT with an exposure component may be considered after individual assessment where a phobia is affecting daily life and work. Exposure based work should be planned with a suitably qualified clinician after discussion of the rationale, alternatives, safety and pacing. A guide is not a self directed programme for exposure. The pace, focus and methods used depend on the person's assessment, safety, health and goals. For related information, see phobia therapy at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/therapy/phobias/, the phobias comprehensive guide at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/phobias comprehensive guide/, phobias and relationships at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/phobias relationships daily life/ and phobias in children and young people at https://lyceumclinic.co.uk/guides/phobias children young people/. If there is immediate danger, thoughts of self harm, an inability to stay safe or a sudden marked deterioration, call 999, attend A&E or use urgent local crisis or medical support.