一项关于年轻的成年女性的前瞻性研究显示：恐怖症的强度与损害程度成变量关系，积极的健康心理与高质量的生活可预测缓解率。[79]Trumpf J, Becker ES, Vriends N, et al. Rates and predictors of remission in young women with specific phobia: a prospective community study. J Anx Disorders. 2009;23:958-964.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19604666?tool=bestpractice.com经暴露疗法治疗后，高达90%的患者达到临床显著的改善水平。[47]Antony MM, Barlow DH. Specific phobias. In: Barlow DH, ed. Anxiety and its disorders: the nature and treatment of anxiety and panic. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Guilford Press; 2002:380-417.[45]Ost LG. Long-term effects of behavior therapy for specific phobia. In: Mavissakalian MR, Prien RF, eds. Long-term treatments of anxiety disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 1996:121-170.[46]Gros DF, Antony MM. The assessment and treatment of specific phobias: a review. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2006;8:298-303.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16879794?tool=bestpractice.com许多的治疗效果在治疗1年后仍然保持，然而，需要进一步的研究确定治疗后的长期效果。[45]Ost LG. Long-term effects of behavior therapy for specific phobia. In: Mavissakalian MR, Prien RF, eds. Long-term treatments of anxiety disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 1996:121-170.[68]Schneider AJ, Mataix-Cols D, Marks IM, et al. Internet-guided self-help with or without exposure therapy for phobic and panic disorders. Psychother Psychosom. 2005;74:154-164.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15832066?tool=bestpractice.com定期进行“推动器”式的暴露治疗，持续进行自我指导式的暴露疗法，都可能降低复发概率。
从暴露疗法随机对照试验中途退出的理由知之甚少。[68]Schneider AJ, Mataix-Cols D, Marks IM, et al. Internet-guided self-help with or without exposure therapy for phobic and panic disorders. Psychother Psychosom. 2005;74:154-164.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15832066?tool=bestpractice.com
