Define Flooding Therapy

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Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Flooding therapy is a type of exposure therapy used to treat anxiety disorders, phobias, and PTSD. It involves exposing the individual to their feared object or situation in a prolonged and intense manner until their anxiety decreases. The underlying process in flooding is based on the principle of extinction, where the individual's fear response is gradually reduced as they are repeatedly exposed to the feared stimulus without the expected negative consequences.

There are two main types of flooding therapy: imaginal and in vivo flooding. Imaginal flooding involves the individual vividly imagining the feared object or situation in a safe and controlled environment, while in vivo flooding involves direct exposure to the actual feared object or situation in real life. Both types of flooding aim to provoke the fear response in a controlled setting, allowing the individual to confront and eventually overcome their fears.

In summary, flooding therapy is a form of exposure therapy that aims to reduce anxiety by exposing individuals to their feared objects or situations. The underlying process in flooding is based on extinction, where repeated exposure leads to a decrease in the fear response. Imaginal and in vivo flooding are two different approaches to this therapy, with one involving imagined exposure and the other involving real-life exposure.

Define Flooding Therapy

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