A psychological treatment called exposure therapy was created to assist people in facing their concerns. People who are afraid of anything usually steer clear of the things, people, or circumstances they dread. In the short term, this avoidance may lessen fearful sensations or anxiety, but in the long run, it may exacerbate them.
Exposure therapy is designed to treat phobia or even conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, among others. It aids with breaking the pattern of avoidance and fear. It also helps with overcoming irrational thoughts surrounding phobias and creating more realistic beliefs. Additionally, by being exposed to the stimulus repeatedly, it leads to an extinction curve of anxiety and fear response.
Types of Exposure Therapy
According to the APA, there are 4 types of exposure therapy. They are as follows –
- Imaginal Exposure – This is when the client is asked to imagine what they fear vividly. For example, with PTSD, it consists of recalling traumatic events and imagining that they are happening again in order to reduce fear surrounding the situation.
- Virtual Reality Exposure – This is where virtual reality technology is utilized in situations where it is not possible to use in vivo exposure. For instance, a client with a phobia of flying may use the technology that simulates the sights, sounds, and smells of an airplane to experience a virtual flight.
- In Vivo Exposure – This entails direct encounter with the feared thing, circumstance, or activity. For instance, a person with a phobia of snakes would be instructed to handle a snake, while a person who struggles with public speaking might be told to do so.
- Interoceptive exposure – This involves deliberately inducing fearful but innocuous bodily feelings. For instance, a person with panic disorder could be told to run while stationary in order to make their heart beat faster and discover that this sensation is safe.
Exposure therapy can also be done using flooding, where the most challenging part or task related to the hierarchy of fear is used first. However, in certain instances, systematic desensitization is employed to provide relaxation techniques alongside the exposure, to increase coping and associate the stimulus with relaxation. Finally, there is also graded exposure, where the client is asked to rank their fear into different levels in progressing difficulty, and the exposure is slowly built up based on the hierarchy.
In terms of effectiveness, exposure therapy is an evidence-based treatment. This means that it is supported by research and has promising results. According to a 2016 study, exposure therapy may have long-term advantages since those who had treatment for phobias saw decreased symptoms not just right away but also eight years afterwards.
Finally, if you, or anyone you know, would like to start getting into exposure therapy, know that you are not alone, and this step will significantly improve your quality of life. Start by looking for someone who is qualified and an expert clinician in this form of therapy and do not be afraid to speak out and communicate your concerns.