Question

A technique for treating phobias and other stress disorders in which the person is suddenly exposed to the fear-provoking situation or object in an intense way and is prevented from making the usual avoidance or escape response is called____________. a. systematic desensitization. b. flooding. c. paradoxical intent. d. aversive therapy.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option b. flooding.

Explanation:

This technique is used in a way that exposes a person with phobia, directly to a situation in which their greatest fear is present.

It is a fairly extreme way to treat a phobia since the treated person is trapped with no option to leave. The objective of this technique is that just being “trapped”, the person can reduce their anxiety levels, since they have no other option.

Before submitting a patient to this treatment, he or she must inform a consent because the levels of stress and trauma they are going to face are very high. It is very likely that the patient does not want to end the therapy because of that reason.

The treatment is effective for treating particular phobias such as spider phobia. But it is not effective in treating complex phobias such as social phobia.