Abnormal Psych Ex 2-?????????

Exposure Therapy and Phobias

  • Discussion on whether exposure therapy could work for severe phobia of snakes.

Fear of Negative Evaluation

  • Core fear in the context of social anxiety disorder (SAD).

  • Definition of social anxiety disorder:

    • Marked and persistent fear of social or performance situations.

    • Fear stems from potential embarrassment or humiliation due to scrutiny.

Personal Anecdote

  • Speaker reflects on personal experiences with anxiety:

    • Describes feelings of discomfort and the sense of something being wrong.

    • Shares experience of trying to fit in at work among peers.

    • Discusses feelings of loneliness in group settings despite being surrounded by people.

Approaches to Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

  • Two main approaches to tackling anxiety disorders:

    1. Medication Approaches

    2. Psychological Treatments

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

    • Focus on learning about anxiety and its development.

    • Understand and identify negative thinking patterns.

    • Shift from unproductive worrying to productive problem-solving.

    • Examination of:

    • Learning styles.

    • The distinction between productive and unproductive worrying.

Facing Worries Realistically

  • Importance of addressing worries in a realistic manner to reduce fear associated with them.

  • Learning techniques to combat the perception that life is dominated by worry:

    • Knowledge and tools can empower individuals experiencing anxiety.

    • Emphasis on focusing on reality and what is likely to happen.

    • Encouragement to not let worry dominate thoughts or actions.

Anxiety Reduction Strategies

  • Worry serves as a short-term anxiety reducer for some individuals with GAD; however, it's not a productive long-term strategy.

Selective Mutism

  • Description of selective mutism:

    • Predominantly affects children but can also occur in adults.

    • Individuals can speak but choose not to due to anxiety in certain situations.

    • Classic presentation includes a child who speaks comfortably at home but not in other settings.

  • Recognizes that selective mutism can increase the risk of developing any anxiety disorder.