anxiety treatment

Question 1

Exposure therapy

Answer 1

Gradual exposure to feared situations, breaking the cycle of avoidance

Based on the principle that facing fears can reduce their power over time
Exposure helps break the cycle of avoidance, which maintains anxiety

Question 2

In vivo exposure

Answer 2

Real-life situations (e.g., riding a bus for someone with social anxiety).

Question 3

Imaginal exposure

Answer 3

Visualizing feared situations when they can’t be encountered directly

Question 4

Interoceptive exposure

Answer 4

Exposure to physical sensations of anxiety (e.g., heart racing) to reduce panic.

Question 5

Avoidance

Answer 5

Anxiety prompts avoidance to reduce immediate distress.
Avoidance prevents learning that feared outcomes are unlikely.

Question 6

Habituation

Answer 6

Repeated exposure decreases anxiety responses (habituation).
Anxiety tends to decrease naturally during prolonged exposure sessions.
The more frequent and consistent the exposure, the quicker habituation occurs.
Can NOT use coping skills during exposures, takes away from habituation

Question 7

Safety behaviors reduce ______ but maintain ______

Answer 7

distress
anxiety

Question 8

Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy
(ACT)

Answer 8

a behavioral approach that emphasizes psychological flexibility.
ACT is particularly useful for chronic anxiety where avoidance is a strong component.
uses mindfulness and values-driven action to promote well-being

Question 9

Acceptance (ACT)

Answer 9

Accepting anxiety allows clients to reduce the struggle against distressing thoughts.
Techniques: Mindfulness of breath, observing thoughts without reaction.

Question 10

Values (ACT)

Answer 10

Identifying what is meaningful to the client, like family, education, or health.
Values provide a compass for committed action even in the presence of anxiety

Question 11

Cognitive Defusion (ACT)

Answer 11

Practicing nonattachment to thoughts by recognizing they are just thoughts.
Techniques include labeling thoughts as “just thoughts” or imagining them as clouds

Question 12

Self as Context (ACT)

Answer 12

Understanding that one’s identity is separate from thoughts and emotions.
Helps clients distance themselves from anxiety-related self-criticism.

Question 13

Committed Action (ACT)

Answer 13

Taking actions aligned with values, despite experiencing anxiety.
Examples: Public speaking aligned with a value of academic success.

Question 14

Create a realistic fear ladder with 10 rungs that would be feasible for a 8 year old with a fear of spiders.

Answer 14

1) look at pictures of spider
2) look at spider videos
3) hold a toy spider
4) look at a spider behind a glass/barrier
5) look at a spider from a distance without a barrier
6) watch someone hold a spider
7) look at a spider up close without a barrier
8) feed the spider
9) touch the spider
10) hold the spider

Question 15

sides of the hexaflex

Answer 15

acceptance
attention to the present moment
defusion
values
committed action
self as context
PSYCH FLEXIBILITY IN MIDDLE

Question 16

how do all aspects of ACT work together?

Answer 16

accepting thoughts, identifying things that are important, knowing that thoughts are only thoughts, etc. all provide a pathway for a new perspective on anxiety

Question 17

Should coping skills be used during exposures? Why or why not

Answer 17

no, coping skills validate the anxiety your mind is feeling and take away from habituation

Question 18

What is a therapist’s role during the creation of a fear ladder? What is a therapists role during an exposure

Answer 18

Fear ladder: helps come up with the steps and works with client to figure out realistic steps

Exposure: provides encouragement, reinforces small successes, helps maintain momentum

Question 19

How might ACT be used for depression?

Answer 19

the same principles can be applied to disrupt the cog. triad and neg views about themself or the world. Interrupt their thought spirals