![]() | ||||||
Sponsored by the HealthcareTrainingInstitute.org providing Quality Education since 1979 | ||||||
|
| |||
Diagnosis & Treatment of Phobias with Cognitive Restructuring Interventions
|
1. Epidemiology and aetiology Some patients will be able to avoid the subject of their fear, some will have panic attacks with disabling symptoms and others will be unable to lead normal lives. Epidemiology A common phobia is fear of dentists and according to a study from the British Psychological Society one in 10 people avoid going to a dentist. According to the National Phobics Society, anxiety disorders are commonplace and an estimated 13 percent of the adult population will develop a specific phobia at some point in their lives (see table right). Aetiology Some researchers highlight biological, dispositional, learning and psychodynamic theories. It is possible for an individual to develop a phobia over anything; most phobias start in teenage and adult years and some may run in families, with women twice as likely to suffer from phobias as men. Classification Social phobias are very common and can be extremely debilitating. Cultural differences as well as age might explain under-reporting and delay in seeking medical opinion. There is a high prevalence of comorbidities, and in some cases a high risk of suicide. 2.TYPES OF PHOBIAS Specific phobias relate to distinct objects or situations such as black cats. While the presentation is straightforward, it is important to exclude physical problems like hyperthyroidism and to be alert to the concomitant use of alcohol as a coping strategy. Clinical features Social phobias Agoraphobia Behaviour therapy Cognitive behavioural therapy helps patients to understand their negative thought patterns and how to change them. Desensitisation involves slowly exposing the patient to the object or situation they fear until the fear begins to fade. Flooding immerses the patient in the fear reflex until the fear dissipates; the key is to keep patients in the feared situation long enough so that they can see that the predicted consequences do not materialise. Counter-conditioning teaches patients to substitute a relaxation response for the fear response when confronted by a phobic stimulus. Additionally, systemic desensitisation can be paired with modelling to achieve successful outcomes. In mild cases, posthypnotic suggestions can be used to help patients control their breathing and heart rate and create a relaxed state of mind that enables them to calmly and rationally overcome their fear. Just 20 percent of phobias go away on their own, making early diagnosis and treatment essential. If phobias are caught early they are extremely responsive and rewarding to treat; most patients who seek treatment make rapid, long-lasting progress. When to refer KEY POINTS -Briscoe, James; Phobias; General Practitioner, Oct. 6, 2006
================================= Personal
Reflection Exercise #1 Online Continuing Education QUESTION
15 |
Others who bought this Phobias Course also bought… ![]()
![]() ![]() |
CEU Test for this course | Phobias
Forward to Section 16 - Manual Article
Back to CD Track
14
Table of Contents
Top