Exposure Therapy
Exposure Therapy
Exposure Therapy is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that is designed to help individuals confront and reduce the fear associated with harmful stimuli. It is often used to treat Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Anxiety Disorders.
Pronunciation
Exposure Therapy: /ɪkˈspoʊʒər ˈθɛrəpi/
Etymology
The term "Exposure Therapy" originates from the English words "exposure," meaning the act of subjecting someone to an influencing experience, and "therapy," which comes from the Greek word "therapeia," meaning healing.
Description
In Exposure Therapy, individuals are gradually exposed to the fear-inducing stimuli in a controlled environment. The goal is to reduce the fear response over time, allowing the individual to manage their reactions and cope with the fear or anxiety in a healthier way. This therapy can be conducted in various forms, including In Vivo Exposure, Imaginal Exposure, and Virtual Reality Exposure.
Related Terms
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A type of psychotherapy that helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors and feelings.
- Phobias: An extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A chronic disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.
- Anxiety Disorders: A group of mental disorders characterized by significant feelings of anxiety and fear.
- In Vivo Exposure: A form of exposure therapy where the individual confronts the feared objects or situations in real life.
- Imaginal Exposure: A form of exposure therapy where the individual is asked to imagine the feared objects or situations.
- Virtual Reality Exposure: A form of exposure therapy where the individual confronts the feared objects or situations in a virtual environment.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Exposure Therapy
- Wikipedia's article - Exposure Therapy
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