Chapter 24: Fear and Anxiety Reduction Procedures Flashcards
Fear
Composed of both operant and respondent behavior. Typically afraid of a particular stimulant so when the stimulant is present the person experiences unpleasant bodily responses and engages in escape or avoidance behavior
Anxiety
Bodily responses from fear that we experience are respondent behaviors we call anxiety which makes it more likely the person will respond in escape or avoidance behaviors
– An EO for escape behaviors
Relaxation Training
Strategies that people use to decrease the autonomic arousal that they experience as a component of fear and anxiety problems
- leads the person to experience the opposite reactions of the ANS
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
The person systematically tenses and relaxes each of the major muscle groups in the body. Tensing and relaxing leaves the body more relaxed than in their initial state
Relaxation Training Procedures
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Attention-focusing exercises
- Behavioral relaxation training
Diaphragmatic breathing
“deep breathing” - The person breathes deeply in a slow, rhythmic fashion. At each inhalation, the person uses the muscles of the diaphragm to pull oxygen deep into the lungs.
Attention-Focusing Exercises
Produce relaxation by directing attention to a neutral or pleasant stimulus to remove the person’s attention from the anxiety-producing stimulus
- focus attention on words or images to remove attention from anxiety
ex: meditation, guided imagery and hypnosis
Behavioral Relaxation Training
The person is taught to relax each muscle group in the body by assuming relaxed postures
- Similar to PMR except the DO NOT tense and relax muscles
Systematic Desensitization
A procedure in which the person with a phobia practices relaxation while imaging scenes of the fear-producing stimulus
Phobia
A fear in which the level of anxiety or escape and avoidance behavior is severe enough to disrupt a persons life
Reciprocal Inhibition
Relaxation response inhibits or prevents the occurrence of the fear response
Hierarchy (Systematic Desensitization)
A staggered plan to desensitize a person from their fears from the least amount of fear and anxiety to the most amount of fear and anxiety which is usually the last step (tow types, in both the person must be without anxiety to move on)
In Vivo Desensitization
Similar to systemic desensitization except that the client gradually approaches or is gradually exposed to the actual fear-producing stimulus
Contact Desensitization
The therapist puts a hand on the client’s back or holds their hand in order to help their anxiety
Flooding
A procedure in which the person is exposed to the feared stimulus at full intensity for a prolonged period of time until their anxiety subsides in the presence of the feared stimulus
