Helping you face your fears head on - let's talk about Exposure Therapy!

We too sometimes feel afraid of different things, don't we? Some people are afraid of heights, others of getting on a crowded bus, and others may be extremely afraid of not only snakes but also dogs. Because of this fear, we try to avoid those things as much as possible. But in reality, when we try to avoid them, our fear only gets worse after a while. Today, we are going to talk about a very powerful and successful treatment method that will help you overcome a fear that is affecting your life, by directly facing it.

Simply put, what is Exposure Therapy?

Exposure Therapy is a type of psychotherapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) . It's very simple. Your therapist works with you to create a safe, controlled environment where you are exposed to the thing, event, or activity you fear. This means that you are gradually and systematically exposed to your fear.

Think about it, if we are afraid of something, we try to hide from it, to avoid it. Although we feel a little relieved at the time, in the long run our fear increases. It's like a small wound that keeps getting bigger and bigger. Avoiding certain places and activities because of this fear can also hinder your ability to carry on with your life as usual.

What kind of mental conditions does this treatment help with?

Exposure Therapy is a very useful treatment for a number of mental health conditions. Take a look at the table below to get a better idea of ​​what it is.

In addition, this treatment can also help with some eating disorders . But keep in mind that sometimes these conditions may require other treatments, such as medication, in addition to Exposure Therapy. This should be discussed with your doctor .

What are the different methods of Exposure Therapy?

There are several ways to perform this treatment. Your therapist will choose the method that best suits your condition.

1. Imaginal Exposure

This involves vividly imagining the feared event, situation, or action. For example, if you have PTSD, you may be asked to recall and describe the details of the traumatic event.

2. In Vivo Exposure

'In vivo' means 'in real life'. This is where you face your fear in real life, but in a safe environment . For example, if you have a fear of heights (acrophobia), your therapist might take you across a protected bridge or have you look down from a window in a tall building.

3. Interoceptive Exposure

When you are feeling very scared or anxious, there are things you feel physically. Things like your heart beating fast, your body shaking, and your breathing becoming difficult . In this therapy, those physical symptoms are artificially created. Then you learn that, although these feelings are uncomfortable, they are not harmful. This is especially important for people who are more afraid of what they feel when they are scared than of what they are afraid of.

4. Facing with Virtual Reality (VR) technology

In this , Virtual Reality (VR) technology is used to artificially recreate the things and environments that you fear. This is very important for situations that are difficult to face in practice. For example, someone with a fear of flying (aerophobia) can experience that through VR without actually boarding a plane.

How does the treatment work?

First, your therapist will ask questions to better understand your fears and anxiety. Then, you and the therapist will work together to create a plan that is right for you .

Usually, treatment starts with something that is only slightly scary, something easy . Then, gradually, you move on to more difficult things. Let's take the example of someone who is afraid of heights.

1. First step: Looking at beautiful pictures taken from high places.

2. Second step: Once you get used to it, look out a window on the second or third floor of a building.

3. Step three: Gradually move to higher floors.

At each step, your therapist will teach you different ways to manage your fear and anxiety (for example, calming breathing exercises). This process will continue until you are able to deal with your fears normally, without fear.

Is this really a successful treatment?

Yes. Studies have shown that more than 90% of people with specific phobias can make a near-complete recovery if they successfully complete this treatment.

It's a little harder to measure its success in complex conditions like PTSD or OCD, as they require other treatments. However, studies have clearly shown that Exposure Therapy is a very important and effective treatment for managing those conditions.

When should I see a doctor?

It's normal to feel a little uncomfortable and stressed when you first start Exposure Therapy because you're directly confronting your fears. But remember, this is a very safe and effective treatment when done by a trained professional.

However, if your symptoms become severe, or if your fear or anxiety becomes unmanageable, talk to your psychiatrist or doctor immediately .

Asking for help for a mental health condition can sometimes feel like a difficult thing to do, but it's one of the biggest things you can do for yourself. Treatments like Exposure Therapy can help you learn to live successfully with your fears.

Exposure Therapy, fear, anxiety, phobia, PTSD, OCD, mental health, treatment