Understanding Exposure Therapy for Treatment

By BrainPhysics Staff, Mon, November 22, 2010

Understand how exposure therapy is used to help mental disorders like OCD and social anxiety:

"The exposure therapy is based on principle of subjecting patients to objects they fear. A controlled environment is used for the purpose of conducting this therapy; also there is no danger involved in this treatment process. Treatment of health problems associated with anxiety can be effectively resolved or at least minimized with this kind of treatment. In some cases, the treatment is used to prevent the problem from worsening. For example, one can stop the acute stress disorder from turning into post-traumatic stress disorder. Let us find more about this type of cognitive behavioral therapy through information presented below.

Exposure Therapy for Mental Disorders

Th exposure therapy is used in treatment of many different mental illnesses/disorders. The use of exposure therapy for phobias and other health problems is quite common. Patients are not just exposed to distressing situations/objects, but also taught coping skills and ways to minimize stress. The patients are allowed to express their feelings and thoughts in order to understand the mental problem in a better manner. Relaxation techniques are also used in exposure therapy; these techniques help reduce the stress to a great extent. Exposure therapy should not be confused with desensitization technique. The latter involves use of relaxation techniques and introduction of patient to the fears/stress inducing situations in a gradual manner. Exposure therapy on the other hand is much more direct and introduces the fear-causing object/situation immediately. The patient is however, allowed to visualize the situation beforehand."

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