Exposure

Exposure is controlled and gradual contact with a stimulus that a person avoids in order to reduce the fear or avoidance response.

Definition

Exposure is an important element of cognitive-behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders, phobias and selected avoidance problems. It involves safe, planned contact with a situation, memory or stimulus that triggers anxiety, without performing typical protective behaviors. The goal is not to brutally "throw yourself in the deep end", but to teach the nervous system that discomfort can descend without escape.

Key ideas

Missing key ideas.

Practice and life

Create an exposure ladder from the easiest to the most difficult situation. Start at a level that is unpleasant but doable and repeat until the tension drops.

Common misunderstanding

It is a mistake to make exposures too quickly and without a plan. In case of severe symptoms or trauma, exposure should be conducted with a specialist.

Questions for self-reflection

No questions for self-reflection.

Sources

No sources.