Psych Treatments Flashcards
What is ERP?
ERP is a type of cognitive-behavioural therapy used specifically with people with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How does ERP relate to systematic desensitisation?
The exposure element of ERP makes it similar to systematic desensitisation used to treat phobias.
What is the first step in ERP?
Clients identify obsessional thoughts that trigger compulsive behaviours and environmental triggers that cue these thoughts.
What are SUDS ratings?
Subjective units of distress scale SUDS ratings are used to assess the distress level associated with triggering cues.
What is the purpose of arranging triggering situations into a hierarchy?
The hierarchy is arranged from the lowest to highest SUDS rating to guide the first exposure.
What is necessary for ERP to be effective?
Exposures must last long enough for the person to habituate to the stimulus, reducing anxiety levels.
How is the end of an exposure determined in ERP?
The exposure ends when the SUDS rating has reduced by at least 50 percent.
What is the therapist’s role in ERP?
The therapist prevents the person from carrying out compulsive behaviours to help them learn that anxiety can reduce on its own.
What is a key aspect of ERP practice?
Clients are encouraged to practice every day and keep records of their progress. Homework
What is not included in ERP?
ERP does not include training in relaxation strategies.
What should clients avoid before ERP sessions?
Clients are strongly advised not to use anti-anxiety medication before sessions.
What is a critical point about anxiety levels in ERP?
Clients are encouraged to increase their anxiety levels to the highest possible point during therapy.
What is a strength of ERP compared to drug treatments?
ERP has been shown to be more effective than drug treatments such as clomipramine.
What percentage of people achieved symptom reduction with ERP in a study?
86 percent of people treated with ERP achieved a clinically relevant reduction in symptoms.
What is a practical application of ERP for children?
ERP principles can be adapted for children with autism spectrum disorder, showing significant improvement in just ten sessions.
How can ERP be delivered to increase accessibility?
ERP can be adapted for telephone delivery, cutting costs and allowing more people to access therapy.
Why is flexibility important in therapies like ERP?
Therapies need to be flexible to adapt to the differing needs of diverse communities, especially with increasing global rates of OCD.
What is a weakness of ERP?
It can be difficult for inexperienced therapists to deliver, reducing its applications to real-world settings.
What are some common pitfalls that can reduce the efficacy of ERP?
Failing to work with relatives and friends who may reinforce OCD reassurance-seeking behavior, and allowing clients to distract themselves instead of being fully aware of their bodily processes as anxiety decreases.
What is a consequence of inexperienced therapists delivering ERP?
They must be carefully supervised by more experienced colleagues, which further increases waiting times.
What is a final weakness of ERP?
Old compulsions may be replaced with new ones unless the therapist reveals the core underlying fear.
Can you provide an example of how new compulsions may form?
A religious person may be tormented by forbidden thoughts triggered by the number six, leading to hours of rituals to neutralize their thoughts.
This may continue unless the core fear, such as the fear of going to Hell, is revealed.
