Exposure Therapy Essay

Background History Exposure being used as way of treating over anxiety started back 1950s when psychodynamic views dominated western clinical practice and behavioral therapy was first emerging. South African psychologists and psychiatrists first used exposure as a way to reduce pathological fears, such as phobias and anxiety-related problems, and they brought their methods to England in the Maudsley hospital training program. It was first practiced by Joseph Wolpe on treating psychiatrist problem like behavioral issues. but James G. taylor was the first known psychologist to use the exposure therapy for treating anxiety then since 1950s other sorts of therapy exposure were developed which were  systematic desensitization, flooding, implosive therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, in vivo exposure therapy, and imaginable exposure therapy. This procedure is helpful for people who need to confront feared thoughts and memories.

The third type of exposure is interoceptive, which may be used for more specific disorders such as panic or post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients confront feared bodily symptoms such as increased heart rate and shortness of breath. All types of exposure may be used together or separately. While evidence clearly supports the effectiveness of exposure therapy, some clinicians are uncomfortable using imaginal exposure therapy, especially in cases of PTSD. The current investigation is a post hoc, nonrandomized effectiveness study using archival data from patients treated by a PTSD Clinical Team (PCT). The archival data were obtained from a program evaluation database kept within the clinic. Assessment measures (PCL, BDIII completed by patients as part of evidence-based treatments are entered into the database by clinic staff.

Outcome data included in this manuscript were taken from all patients receiving PE from three clinicians over the time period noted above. All veterans were treated with PE as part of their routine clinical care. The instrument has been shown to have excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability for review see Orsillo, 2001). In addition, the PCL-M has demonstrated excellent convergent validity with alternative measures of PTSD  Orsillo, 2001). Generalized anxiety disorder There is empirical evidence that exposure therapy can be an effective treatment for people with generalized anxiety disorder, citing specifically in vivo exposure therapy, which has greater effectiveness than imaginal exposure in regards to generalized anxiety disorder. The aim of in vivo exposure treatment is to promote emotional regulation using systematic and controlled therapeutic exposure to traumatic stimuli.

Phobias Exposure therapy is the most successful known treatment for phobias. ERP is predicated on the idea that a therapeutic effect is achieved as subjects confront their fears, but refrain from engaging in the escape response or ritual that delays or eliminates distress.  In the case of individuals with OCD or an anxiety disorder, there is a thought or situation that causes distress. Individuals usually combat this distress through specific behaviors that include avoidance or rituals. However, ERP involves purposefully evoking fear, anxiety, and or distress in the individual by exposing him/her to the feared stimulus. The response prevention then involves having the individual refrain from the ritualistic or otherwise compulsive behavior that functions to decrease distress. start slow and take your time working your way up.