Transcript Treating Phobias - mrsbradleysclass

Treating Phobias
CP Psychology
Mrs. Bradley
Four General Types of
Phobias
• Animal – snakes,
spiders, dogs,
lions,tigers,bears
• Natural
environment –
water, the dark,
heights, storms
• Situational –
elevators, flying,
driving over
bridges, going to
dentist, tunnels
• Blood-InjectionInjury – fear of
shots, blood, injury,
certain medical
procedures
Other phobias that cannot
be easily categorized
Fear of clowns, fear of cancer,
fear of falling into a sinkhole,
fear of midgets, fear of choking,
etc.
Common phobia symptoms
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shortness of breath
Feeling of being smothered
Palpitations, heart-racing
Chest pain or discomfort
Trembling or shaking
Sweating
Nausea
Feat of fainting
Social phobia
Social anxiety disorder
Fear of social situations, excessively
self-conscious.
Fear of public speaking – very
common
Fear of being called on in class
Fear of strangers
Fear of eating or drinking in public
More symptoms…
• Fear of losing control
• Feelings of unreality or of being
detached from yourself
• Hot or cold flashes
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or tingling sensations
Should I get help?
• YES --- if your phobia impacts your
life.
– It causes intense and disabling fear,
anxiety, and panic.
– You recognize that your fear is excessive
and unreasonable.
– Your avoid certain situations and places
because of your phobia.
– Your avoidance interferes with your
normal routine.
– You’ve had the phobia for at least 6
months.
DON’T GET HELP….
• If your phobia doesn’t
interfere with your life.
Exposure Therapy
• Also known as systematic
desensitization
• You are exposed in a safe and
controlled way to the object or
situation you fear.
• Gradual encounters
– First in imagination
– Then in reality
You have a phobia about…
You have a phobia about
dogs..
Step 1 – draw a dog
Step 2 – read about dogs
Step 3 – Look at photos of dogs
Step 4 – Look at videos of dogs
Step 5 – Look at dogs through a
closed window
• Step 6 – Look at dogs through a
partly-opened window
•
•
•
•
•
Keep going… you’re doing
fine!
• Step 7 – Look at dogs from a doorway.
• Step 8 – Move further out from the
doorway.
• Step 9 -- Have a helper bring a dog
into a nearby room (on a leash).
• Step 10 – Have the helper bring the
dog into the same room, still on a
leash.
Does exposure therapy
remind you of anything?
Dr. Leo Marvin’s Baby Steps
Other good ideas…
• Learn about phobias
• Challenge negative thoughts
– I see many people love dogs.
– I see many dogs seem friendly.
-- What would I say to someone who has
this fear?
Learn Relaxation techniques.