PSYB45H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 28: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia
Document Summary
Exposure-based treatments empirically-supported treatment method for anxiety disorders. Important component of cbt treatment for specific phobias, social anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, ocd, ptsd some modifications to fit different sets of symptoms and disorders, but underlying principle remains the same. Reduce or eliminate previously learned fear association (extinction: allows for new learning about the feared stimulus. Systematic desensitization older exposure-based approach, less recent support. Based on principle of counter conditioning: establish a fear-antagonistic response to the feared stimulus by pairing the stimulus with relaxation, you can"t be fearful and relaxed at the same time. Evidence suggests that the inclusion of relaxation can be counter-productive for some. Can interfere with the learning that might be needed therapeutically: ex. need to experience anxiety, in order to learn that anxiety symptoms go away on their own eventually. Flooding based on extinction if one faces the feared stimulus, can"t escape and no aversive stimulus follows, the fear response will become extinguished.
