Citation

Rothbaum BO, Schwartz AC. Am. J. Psychother. 2002; 56(1): 59-75.

Affiliation

Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program, Emory University School of Medicine, USA. brothba@emory.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Association for the Advancement of Psychotherapy)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11977784

Abstract

Exposure therapy is a well-established treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that requires the patient to focus on and describe the details of a traumatic experience. Exposure methods include confrontation with frightening, yet realistically safe, stimuli that continues until anxiety is reduced. A review of the literature on exposure therapy indicates strong support from well-controlled studies applied across trauma populations. However, there are many misconceptions about exposure therapy that may interfere with its widespread use. These myths and clinical guidelines are addressed. It is concluded that exposure therapy is a safe and effective treatment for PTSD when applied as directed by experienced therapists.

Language: en