It’s true that everyone has something they are afraid of or might cause them some stress. But for individuals with anxiety disorders or phobias that fear can become paralyzing.
Phobias are strong and irrational fears of object ts and situations that realistically pose little to no danger. Some common phobias include fear of snakes, fear of heights, and fear of social settings. Being confronted with these fears can be overwhelming and cause panic attacks.
A recent article titled “Are you scared of spiders?” by Jodi Cohen discusses new research results about the potential benefits of exposure therapy. Exposure therapy slowly introduces the anxious patient to their feared object. A post-doctoral neurology fellow, Katherina Hauner, conducted the research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. It consisted of having arachnophobic subjects touch a “5 inch wide tarantula with a paintbrush, then with gloves and finally with bare hands.”
Brain scans showed that the parts of the subject’s brain’s that are associated with fear lit up when they were initially showed images of spiders. However, following their therapy sessions in which they touched the tarantula, the brain scans indicated that their fear had been reduced, if not eliminated. Exposure to what they were anxious about is what ultimately helped the subjects become less afraid. And the effects were lasting, evidenced in the brain scans that also “showed how the brain reorganizes long term to reduce fear.”
The researchers involved in the study noted that this reduced fear from exposure therapy is not limited only to the fear of spiders. Exposure therapy could be useful for any number of phobias and will hopefully be helpful with fear extinction.
If you have a phobia, whatever it is, it may be worthwhile to explore the option of exposure therapy. FIND A PROFESSIONAL to support you and guide you through gradual exposure to your feared object or situation. With time and practice, it may ease your anxiety if you make an effort to confront that fear!
By: Kara Baumgardner, Anxiety In Teens Contributor
SOURCES:
Cohen, Jodi S. “Are you scared of spiders?” Star Tribune. 30 May 2012. 5 June 2012. <http:// www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=155734375>