Interventions: Phobia

Question 1

CBT

Answer 1

Cognitive behavioural therapy aims to alter thoughts/behaviours associated with practices such as phobias and teach strategies to cope with urges to practise maladaptive behaviours. Uses verbal and behaviour modification techniques to help people change irrational patterns of thinking that create a phobia. Focuses on helping the person change negative thoughts and behaviours and replaces them with more positive, realistic ones.

Question 2

Breathing retraining

Answer 2

Breathing retraining is based on the notion that when a person is stressed, they tend to ‘overbreathe’ or breathe too quickly (hyperventilation). This can cause dizziness and palpitations.
With breathing retraining, individuals are taught to use a slow-breathing technique to manage the effect of hyperventilation This technique can also be used to help lower a person’s level of anxiety.

Question 3

GABA agonist

Answer 3

Drugs that mimic the inhibitory effects of GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) such as benzodiazepines.

Question 4

Psychoeducation

Answer 4

Involves educating the sufferer and their family to better understand the condition and treatment options. Helps to dispel any myths surrounding the disorder and the individual is more likely to feel empowered as they are helped to develop more adaptive coping strategies. Provides families with much-needed support and an opportunity to discover effective ways of helping their relative.

Question 5

systematic desensitisation

Answer 5

A strategy for treating phobias in which a sufferer is gradually exposed to a phobic stimulus while using relaxation techniques. Also known as graduated exposure therapy. Utilises classical conditioning principles.

NS (PHOBIA) + UCS (RELAXATION TECHNIQUES) = UCR (RELAXED)

CS (PHOBIA) = CR (RELAXATION)

Question 6

Biological phobia treatments

Answer 6

Benzodiazepines

Relaxation techniques (Breathing retraining and exercise)

Beta-blockers

Question 7

Psychological phobia treatments

Answer 7

CBT

Systematic desensitisation

Question 8

Social phobia treatments

Answer 8

Psychoeducation

Question 9

The role of GABA

Answer 9

Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) has an inhibitory role - makes postsynaptic neuron less likely to fire. It regulates anxiety, arousal and sleep. Low levels of GABA means higher levels of anxiety (not enough GABA to regulate anxiety). Anti-anxiety drugs that mimic the effect of GABA can be used to manage simple phobic anxiety.

Question 10

Benzodiazepine

Answer 10

Short acting anti-anxiety medications are known as benzodiazepines. They work selectively on GABA receptors in the brain (antagonist) Benzodiazepines can be used as sedatives and muscle relaxants. Common medications are valium & xanax. It is a group of drugs with the same structure as GABA and have the same inhibitory effect on post synaptic neurons.

Question 11

The effect of poor breathing

Answer 11

• High blood pressure
• Migraines
• Hyperventilation
• Muscle tension

Question 12

Exercise

Answer 12

Upon facing phobia, HPA axis triggers a sequence of processes involving releasing hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol. We then experience arousal symptoms. If we are not physically active during one of these physiologically arousing events, we find ourselves feeling agitated. Exercise works off this anxiety. Beta-endorphins are also produced during physical exercise and help improve our mood.

Question 13

Beta blockers

Answer 13

Blocks action of adrenalin therefore reducing the fight flight response.