How imagination can help people overcome fear and anxiety

    Press/Media: Research

    Description

    Almost everyone has something they fear – maybe it’s spiders, enclosed spaces, or heights. When we encounter these “threats,” our hearts might begin to race, or our hands may become sweaty. This is called a threat fear response, and it exists to help us avoid potential pain.

    Most of us only feel scared when a threat is present. But when the threat fear response happens even when a threat isn’t present, it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, or anxiety. These disorders may often be treated using exposure therapy, but a new study found that something as simple as using your imagination can help people overcome fear.

    Period10 Dec 2018

    Media contributions

    1

    Media contributions

    • TitleHow imagination can help people overcome fear and anxiety
      Degree of recognitionInternational
      Media name/outletThe Conversation
      Media typeWeb
      Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
      Date10/12/18
      DescriptionAlmost everyone has something they fear – maybe it’s spiders, enclosed spaces, or heights. When we encounter these “threats,” our hearts might begin to race, or our hands may become sweaty. This is called a threat fear response, and it exists to help us avoid potential pain.

      Most of us only feel scared when a threat is present. But when the threat fear response happens even when a threat isn’t present, it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, or anxiety. These disorders may often be treated using exposure therapy, but a new study found that something as simple as using your imagination can help people overcome fear.
      URLhttps://theconversation.com/how-imagination-can-help-people-overcome-fear-and-anxiety-108209
      PersonsValerie van Mulukom