Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Feared situations refer to specific circumstances, events, or objects that an individual finds distressing, causing intense fear or anxiety. These situations often trigger avoidance behaviors and can significantly impact a person's daily life.
This therapeutic technique involves gradually exposing an individual to their feared situations while teaching them relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety.
A technique used in therapy where individuals are directly exposed to their most feared situation or object for an extended period until the anxiety diminishes.