Psychology Update — If You’re Feeling Anxious, Try This 2,000-Year-Old, Neuroscience-Backed Hack

Posted December 4th, 2023 by David Berg & filed under Introduction To Psychology, Personality, Psychological Disorders and Therapy, Psychology Update, Stress and Health Psychology.

TITLE

If You’re Feeling Anxious, Try This 2,000-Year-Old, Neuroscience-Backed Hack

DESCRIPTION

This is truly a must read article for the understand of the concept of anxiety from historical, philosophical, and psychological perspectives.

From the article: “Some 2,000 years ago, in the throes of a targeted chase to his death, a Roman philosopher named Seneca had a thought: “what’s the worst that can happen?” Today, a growing body of research finds that a Seneca inspired exercise—inviting the worried brain to literally envision its worst fears realized—is one of the most evidence-based treatments for anxiety. In scientific terms, that exercise is called imaginal exposure, or “facing the thing you’re most afraid of” by summoning it in your mind, says Dr. Regine Galanti, the founder of Long Island Behavioral Psychology, and a licensed clinical psychologist who regularly integrates imaginal exposure into her therapy.” The article explains both sides of anxiety: the painful experience and the useful more positive use of the feelings. Very importantly, the article highlights how our thoughts (worry) can create the intense unpleasant experience that we label as anxiety even when the event is not as subjectively negative as the anxious feelings. The article discusses “imaginal” and exposure therapy as treatment components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

The article is an important read for students who want to understand anxiety and treatments. Additionally the article can be used with text chapters on stress, health, and abnormal/psychopathology.

Note: includes a brief video — worth watching

SOURCE

Time, November 5, 2021, by Julia Hotz

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://time.com/6114215/if-youre-feeling-anxious-try-this-2000-year-old-neuroscience-backed-hack/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share-article&utm-term=health_mental-health

(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/s786pmh9

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•According to the article, what is the historical and philosophical origins of the concept of anxiety?

•Why do some researchers state that there are positive aspects to anxiety? Can anxiety be useful/helpful to an individual?

•How do “imaginal” and exposure therapies work to reduce the feelings of anxiety?

•Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used as a main therapeutic practice to treat anxiety. How does CBT help?