Thread by @DrDSinger

The #CBTWorks technique of Worry Exposure:

It is common for those with excessive and uncontrollable worry (the core feature of generalized anxiety disorder) to try to prepare for every contingency & "what if" in an effort avoid a feared outcome. *An educational thread* 1/n

Over time, worry, stress and physical symptoms of anxiety take over more and more of one's mental space and time and the thoughts or images of this feared or worst case scenario can feel like a threat which trigger the fight or flight response. 2/n

The #CBTWorks "worry exposure" technique is an evidence-based and effective tool for reducing the power of these worst case scenario thoughts and subsequently reducing worry and efforts to suppress/distract oneself from this thought or the feared outcome. 3/n

In a worry exposure, an individual imagines the worst case scenario in vivid detail with a goal of activating the fear response. The exercise can be done in a written form, recorded on audio, or just through a guided visualization 4/n

By facing the worst case scenario via this "imaginal exposure," without engaging in other "safety behaviors" to try to be safe, distract ourselves or prevent the feared outcome, our brain starts to learn several important new pieces of information, including... 5/n

...the thought or image is not actually dangerous, experiencing anxiety is also not dangerous or as bad as we thought it would be (i.e. we can cope with distressing emotions better than predicted), and if the worst case scenario did occur, it would suck, but life would go on. 6/n

By imagining the worst case scenario, people also often become more aware of the strengths that we have (I have dealt with something horrible like this before), the supports in our life, get clarity on the things and relationships that we value. 7/n

Doing exposures such as this frequently, for prolonged time, and focusing on different elements of the worst case scenario can help to deepen and generalize the learning.

To learn more check out this link from @Anxiety_Canada anxietycanada.com/sites/default/…

THIS IS NOT THERAPY or MEDICAL ADVICE, JUST EDUCATIONAL!