4.2.4 (9B) - evidence based interventions for specific phobias Flashcards
Evidence-based treatments
Treatments that have been proven as effective based on clinical research + expertise aimed at changing behaviour.
Biological interventions
- GABA agonists
- Breathing retraining
GABA agonists
A type of drug that imitates neurotransmitters + works to initiate a neural response (excitatory or inhibitory) when it binds to the receptor sites of a neuron.
- Reduces likelihood that neuron will fire, therefore temporarily reduce the neural connection, and in turn, anxiety.
Benzodiazepines
A type of medication that depresses the CNS + is often used as a short-acting anti-anxiety medication (are considered to be agonists).
Breathing retraining
A method used to teach breathing control techniques that may reduce physiological arousal (camls NS + lowers anxiety whilst in the presence of phobic stimulus).
Psychological interventions
- CBT
- Systematic desensitisation
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
A form of psychotherapy that encourages individuals to substitute dysfunctional cognitions + behaviours with more adaptive ones.
Systematic desensitisation
A therapeutic technique used to overcome phobias that involves a patient being exposed incrementally to increasing anxiety-inducing stimuli, combined with the use of relaxation techniques.
Systematic desensitisation steps
- The learning of relaxation techniques
- The development of a fear hierarchy
- The gradual step-by-step exposure
- Continuation of systematic exposure
Social interventions
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation
Teaching families + supporters of individuals with mental health disorders how to better understand, deal with, and treat their disorder.
- Challenging unrealistic or anxious thoughts
- Not encouraging avoidance behaviours
