A Psychologist Is Treating a Patient with an Anxiety Disorder

question 96

Essay

A psychologist is treating a patient with an anxiety disorder and wants to measure the patient's anxiety while discussing upcoming feared events as a way of assessing the patient's progress in therapy. The psychologist measures heart rate before, during, and after her patient's discussion. She finds that discussion of the upcoming feared event is associated with increased heart rate, and concludes that her patient has not yet made enough progress in treatment. Discuss the grounds on which such a conclusion would be criticized, and describe what else the psychologist might do to measure her patient's progress.

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Definitions:

Long-Term Relationship

A romantic relationship that demonstrates a deep commitment over an extended period of time, often characterized by mutual respect, love, and shared life goals.

Physical Appearance

The outward look or aspects of a person or object, including features, shape, and body size, which can affect social perceptions and interactions.

Social Status

The position or rank of a person or group within a society, determined by various factors including wealth, occupation, and education.

Paraphilia

A condition characterized by abnormal sexual desires, typically involving extreme or dangerous activities.