Fluvoxamine for phobia of storms.

Specific phobias are not usually treated unless they are disabling. Behavioural therapy is the treatment of choice for disabling specific phobias. Pharmacotherapy is generally not considered to be effective in specific phobias, and is therefore not used for this indication. However, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been reported to be effective in various anxiety disorders, and may be effective in specific phobias as well. This case report describes the successful treatment of phobia of storms with fluvoxamine in an 11-year-old boy. Fluvoxamine and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be a suitable option for treatment of disabling cases of specific phobia when behavioural therapy is not feasible for various reasons.