What is anxiety?
Anxiety is an uncomfortable emotion triggered when we perceive a threat. It is an alarm system to protect us against danger and is a normal and healthy reaction that allows our body to respond quickly when there is a real danger.
When we are anxious we can feel physical symptoms such as muscle tension, sweatiness, faster heart rate. On a psychological level we can feel worried and apprehensive.
This alarm system can react in the same way when there is a real threat or there is no real danger. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is triggered when no real danger is present and it interferes with our daily life.
What is exposure therapy and response prevention (ERP)
and how does it help?
We treat anxiety disorders using exposure therapy - the gold-standard treatment method. Exposure therapy involves gradually confronting your fears in a structured and organised way. This is a collaborative process. Together we will build a list of exposure situations. You will never be forced to do the exposure tasks – this is your therapy and engaging in the exposure tasks will always be your decision. We will support and encourage you to learn that your feared situations are not as dangerous as you believe and that it is in your best interests to approach rather than to avoid your feared situations.
Practicing the exposure tasks are designed to weaken the thinking and reacting patterns that contribute to the vicious cycle of your anxiety. When you face the situations that provoke your fear and you remain in the situation (instead of avoiding it or attempting to get rid of your anxiety) you’ll see that the anxiety gradually subsides on its own.
What is Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET)?
VRET is validated by over 20 years of scientific research and enables you to experience a realistic, yet controlled exposure to your specific anxiety-provoking object/situation, in the safety and comfort of the clinic. When you engage in this treatment, corrective learning takes place, where you learn a new way to respond and handle your previously feared situation. We particularly use VRET in our treatment programs for specific phobias.