szorongáshierarchiát

The szorongáshierarchia, or anxiety hierarchy, is a concept used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety disorders. It is a structured list of feared situations or stimuli, ranked from least to most anxiety-provoking. This hierarchy serves as a roadmap for gradual exposure therapy, a core component of CBT.

The process typically begins with the individual identifying specific situations, objects, or thoughts that trigger their anxiety. These are then collaboratively ordered by a therapist and the client, creating a stepped approach to facing these fears. For example, someone with a fear of flying might have a hierarchy that includes looking at pictures of airplanes, watching videos of planes, sitting in a stationary airplane, taking a short flight, and finally, a long-haul flight.

The goal of utilizing a szorongáshierarchia is to help individuals gradually confront their anxieties in a controlled and manageable way. By repeatedly exposing themselves to less threatening items on the list, individuals learn to habituate to the anxiety response and develop coping mechanisms. As they successfully navigate each step, their confidence grows, enabling them to progress to more challenging items on the hierarchy. This systematic desensitization process aims to reduce the intensity of the anxiety response over time, ultimately leading to a decrease in the overall anxiety experienced in relation to the feared stimuli.