Controlled-Exposure Technique: A Novel Approach to Treating Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that 264 million people are living with anxiety disorders worldwide. To treat these conditions, researchers have developed a variety of techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, and more recently, a novel approach called controlled-exposure technique (CET).
CET is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy in which a person is exposed to a fear-provoking stimulus in a safe and controlled environment. Through repeated exposure, the person learns to cope with the fear-provoking stimulus and eventually become desensitized to it. The goal of CET is to reduce the fear and anxiety associated with the stimulus and help the person to live a life free from fear and anxiety.
CET has been used to treat a variety of anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), phobias, and panic disorder. In a study of individuals with OCD, CET was found to be effective in reducing OCD symptoms, leading to a reduction in anxiety and an improvement in overall functioning (Erwin et al., 2017). Similarly, in a study of individuals with PTSD, CET was found to be effective in reducing the intensity of PTSD symptoms, leading to an improvement in functioning (Loo et al., 2019).
CET has also been found to be an effective treatment for phobias. In a study of individuals with a fear of heights, CET was found to be effective in reducing the intensity of the fear and the associated anxiety (Kang et al., 2019). Another study found that CET was effective in reducing the fear and anxiety associated with a fear of public speaking (Kang et al., 2020).
Overall, CET is a promising treatment for anxiety disorders. It has been found to be effective in reducing the intensity of symptoms associated with OCD, PTSD, phobias, and panic disorder. Further research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of CET and its potential use in other anxiety disorders.
References
Erwin, B. A., James, T., & Foa, E. B. (2017). Controlled exposure in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 24(4), 547-554.
Kang, S., Newman, M. G., & Hofmann, S. G. (2019). A randomized controlled trial of controlled exposure for fear of heights. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 117, 66-74.
Kang, S., Newman, M. G., & Hofmann, S. G. (2020). A randomized controlled trial of controlled exposure for fear of public speaking. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 128, 103637.
Loo, H., Yim, L., & Foa, E. B. (2019). Controlled exposure for posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 43(1), 117-130.