Exposure Therapy for Phobias Video with Reid Wilson

Summary

The transcript discusses a therapeutic exposure exercise where a participant is challenged to manage anxiety by holding two pillowcases over their face. The therapist encourages the participant to resist the urge to adjust the pillowcases for comfort, explaining that doing so reinforces avoidance behaviors. The goal is to challenge the participant's belief that they can't handle the discomfort, helping them learn to tolerate it. The therapist emphasizes the importance of observing urges to seek relief and withholding action, allowing the participant to retrain their mind to stop overreacting.

Takeaways

• 😀 The subject is experiencing discomfort while engaging in an exposure therapy exercise.
• 😓 The distress level is initially around 55-60, indicating moderate discomfort.
• 🕒 The therapist suggests keeping the pillowcase on for three full minutes despite the discomfort.
• 🤔 The therapist increases the difficulty by adding a second pillowcase to challenge the subject further.
• 🧠 The goal is to target the subject's belief system, pushing her to doubt her ability to manage and face her discomfort.
• 🌡️ As the subject continues, she notices her heart rate increasing and the temperature rising.
• 🙌 The subject instinctively tries to adjust the pillowcase to allow for more air, which the therapist points out as a safety behavior.
• 💬 The therapist explains that safety behaviors, like adjusting the pillowcase, reinforce the belief that the subject cannot manage the situation.
• 🧘‍♀️ The practice is intended to train the subject to manage discomfort and resist the urge to make adjustments that provide relief.
• 🛑 The therapist encourages the subject to withhold actions like adjusting the pillowcase to better train her response to distressing situations.

Q & A

What is the initial distress level mentioned in the script?

The initial distress level mentioned is between 55 and 60.

What is the purpose of keeping the pillowcase on for three full minutes?

The purpose is to challenge the individual's belief system and help them manage their exposure to the situation without resorting to safety behaviors.

Why does the distress level not rise when the second pillowcase is added?

The distress level does not rise because the individual feels they can manage the exposure with both pillowcases, indicating a belief in their ability to handle the situation.

What is the reaction when the individual is told to keep the pillowcases on for 3 minutes regardless of their feelings?

The individual's distress level rises, indicating that this instruction challenges their belief system and introduces a level of discomfort they need to manage.

Why does the individual try to circulate the air and create more space between their nose and the cloth?

The individual tries to circulate the air and create more space to get fresher air, which is a safety behavior stemming from a belief that they cannot manage the situation without it.

What is the intention behind not allowing the individual to adjust the pillowcases?

The intention is to prevent the individual from engaging in safety behaviors that reinforce the belief that they cannot handle the situation, and to encourage them to face the urge and manage it without the safety behavior.

What is the goal of the practice as described in the script?

The goal of the practice is to help the individual learn to manage their distress and challenge their belief system by withstanding the urge to engage in safety behaviors.

Why is it important for the individual to notice the urge to take an action like pulling the pillowcases away?

It is important to notice the urge to take an action because recognizing and withstanding this urge is a step towards changing the belief that one cannot manage the situation without resorting to safety behaviors.

What does the script suggest about the individual's belief system when they engage in safety behaviors?

The script suggests that when the individual engages in safety behaviors, such as pulling the pillowcases away for more air, it is a manifestation of a belief that they cannot manage the situation without these behaviors.

How does the script describe the process of challenging the individual's belief system?

The script describes challenging the individual's belief system by increasing the exposure and asking them to withhold actions that serve as safety behaviors, thereby encouraging them to manage their distress without relying on these behaviors.

What is the significance of the individual's heart beating faster and feeling hotter in the context of the script?

The individual's heart beating faster and feeling hotter signifies an increase in their distress level, which is a reaction to the challenge presented by the increased exposure without the ability to engage in safety behaviors.