Alzheimer’s Delirium and Dementia Q 19
Nurse John is aware that the therapy that has the highest success rate for people with phobias would be:
A. Psychotherapy aimed at rearranging maladaptive thought processes.
B. Psychoanalytical exploration of repressed conflicts of an earlier development phase.
C. Systematic desensitization using relaxation techniques.
D. Insight therapy to determine the origin of the anxiety and fear.
Correct Answer: C. Systematic desensitization using relaxation technique
The most successful therapy for people with phobias involves behavior modification techniques using desensitization. Behavior therapy is the most effective treatment for phobias is behavioral therapy. This includes systematic desensitization and flooding. In methodical desensitization, the patient is exposed to a list of stimuli ranking from the least to the most anxiety-provoking. With this method, patients are taught various techniques to deal with anxiety such as relaxation, breathing control, and cognitive approaches.
Option A: The cognitive-behavioral approach includes reinforcing the realization that the phobic stimulus is safe. As the patient masters these techniques, they are taught to use them in the face of anxiety-provoking stimuli and induce relaxation. As the patients become desensitized to each stimulus on the scale, they keep moving up until the most anxiety-provoking stimuli no longer elicit any fear or anxiety.
Option B: Psychoanalytic treatment involves exploring the organization of the personality and reorganizing it in a way that addresses deep conflicts and defenses. According to the principles of psychoanalysis, curing the phobia is only possible by rooting out and solving the original conflict. Psychoanalysis is the form of therapy often seen in old movies. The client generally lies on a couch with the psychoanalyst seated near his or her head. The psychoanalyst does not inject his or her own opinions but allows the client to transfer feelings onto the analyst.
Option D: Psychodynamic therapy (talk therapy, or insight therapy) is rarely used for phobia treatment unless the phobia is combined with other disorders such as personality disorders. Insight Therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which the therapist helps their patient understand how their feelings, beliefs, actions, and events from the past are influencing their current mindset.