Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz on the Inhibitory Learning Model of Exposure and the treatment of anxiety

On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jon Abramowitz discuss the treatment of exposure for anxiety disorders, including OCD. Dr. Abramowitz is an internationally recognized expert in anxiety and OCD, and he has published countless books and articles about the topic. Dr. Abramowitz differentiates between the traditional model of exposure therapy, habituation, and the new model, inhibitory learning. This new model is beginning to gain traction in the treatment of anxiety disorders due to its focus on learning feared situations are not as scary as previously believed and individuals can manage anxiety should it arise. The inhibitory learning model is linked to better long-term treatment outcomes. Dr. Abramowitz emphasizes therapists can still utilize habituation, but it is important to recognize when habituation is not effectively targeting anxiety. He discusses other pitfalls of exposure therapy and breaks down various components to be utilized within exposures. Dr. Abramowitz provides countless examples of these techniques applied to clinical situations. Tune in to learn more about exposure and the development of the inhibitory learning model!
Resources and Links:
Exposure Therapy for Anxiety: Principles and Practice:
www.amazon.com/Exposure-Thera...
Clinical Handbook of Fear and Anxiety: Maintenance Processes and Treatment Mechanisms
www.amazon.com/Clinical-Handb...
Getting Over OCD: 10-Step Workbook
www.amazon.com/Getting-Over-O...
The Family Guide to Getting Over OCD:
www.amazon.com/s?k=the+family...
Articles by Michelle Craske:
www.researchgate.net/scientif...
Lab Website:
jonabram.web.unc.edu/
Personal Website:
www.jabramowitz.com/
Social Media Information:
Twitter: @drjonabram

[@rothben8353]

Thanks for the valuable Information.Dr.Finally found a crystal clear explanation.

[@christianpayaalonso1264]

Very interesting and useful! I'm going to play devil's advocate though and say that even though anxiety isn't as dangerous as anxiety disorders make you think, it's definitely not healthy to have high levels of anxiety for extended periods of time. It causes digestive issues, muscular issues and so on. Would love to hear your thoughts on this 🙂

[@Swiftzly]

Well you aren't experiencing the anxiety 24/7, just during the activity.

[@drtdmartin]

The research may be empirically true, as you present it. But the theory need not get to the cause of the anxiety. Indeed, I suspect the problem here is not just anxiety, which never lies, but enjoyment mixed with anxiety. OCD is marked by ambivalence, not miscognition. Dogs are not dangerous, they provoke pleasure too, and it is the mix that disturbs, not some simple misrecognition of threat. It is the fantasy that needs to change, and once this does, the symptoms change. Hope this helps. Dr Tim Martin