anxiety treatment Flashcards
Exposure therapy
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
In vivo exposure
Real-life situations (e.g., riding a bus for someone with social anxiety).
Imaginal exposure
Visualizing feared situations when they can’t be encountered directly
Interoceptive exposure
Exposure to physical sensations of anxiety (e.g., heart racing) to reduce panic.
Avoidance
Anxiety prompts avoidance to reduce immediate distress.
Avoidance prevents learning that feared outcomes are unlikely.
Habituation
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
Safety behaviors reduce ______ but maintain ______
distress
anxiety
Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy
(ACT)
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
Acceptance (ACT)
Accepting anxiety allows clients to reduce the struggle against distressing thoughts.
Techniques: Mindfulness of breath, observing thoughts without reaction.
Values (ACT)
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
Cognitive Defusion (ACT)
Practicing nonattachment to thoughts by recognizing they are just thoughts.
Techniques include labeling thoughts as “just thoughts” or imagining them as clouds
Self as Context (ACT)
Understanding that one’s identity is separate from thoughts and emotions.
Helps clients distance themselves from anxiety-related self-criticism.
Committed Action (ACT)
Taking actions aligned with values, despite experiencing anxiety.
Examples: Public speaking aligned with a value of academic success.
Create a realistic fear ladder with 10 rungs that would be feasible for a 8 year old with a fear of spiders.
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
sides of the hexaflex
acceptance
attention to the present moment
defusion
values
committed action
self as context
PSYCH FLEXIBILITY IN MIDDLE
how do all aspects of ACT work together?
accepting thoughts, identifying things that are important, knowing that thoughts are only thoughts, etc. all provide a pathway for a new perspective on anxiety
Should coping skills be used during exposures? Why or why not
no, coping skills validate the anxiety your mind is feeling and take away from habituation
What is a therapist’s role during the creation of a fear ladder? What is a therapists role during an exposure
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
How might ACT be used for depression?
the same principles can be applied to disrupt the cog. triad and neg views about themself or the world. Interrupt their thought spirals