22 Aug Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a Treatment for Phobias
Posted at 22:15h
in Mental Health Research
It is estimated that phobias affect 7.8 American adults per year making it an extremely common cause of mental illness among the population. Most people are afraid of something, but when that fear becomes irrational or excessive, it can cause feelings of panic, dread, horror and anxiety making certain situations more challenging...
Yaakov Hoffman, PhD.
Senior Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist
Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences
Max & Anna Webb St. Ramat-Gan, Israel, 5290002
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Foundation: This study was conceptualized during a conversation we had, namely, Dr. Yaakov Hoffman, Interdisciplinary department of social sciences, Bar Ilan University, and Professor Menachem Ben-Ezra School of Social Work, Ariel University, following the release of the Antman movie. We are both psychologists who are also avid Marvel superhero fans. In this meaningful conversation we discussed the issue of fear of insects which led to the idea that positive exposure to phobic stimuli (exposure to spider or ants) within the context of Marvel superheroes will lead to robust reduction in phobic symptoms. As most of the conventional treatments for specific phobias use exposure to the phobic stimuli in neutral contexts, we thought that framing the exposure in a positive fun, albeit fantasy context would yield robust results, as well as perhaps reducing stigma.