CBT - Hierarchy of Fear. Question...

[MrsFox]

I've got my second CBT phobia session tomorrow and I've just finished filling out a hierarchy of fear, which I assume will become a part of exposure therapy. My biggest and most dreaded fear though is actually v*ing myself, so this is at the top of my list.

I just wondered if it's likely that I'll have to make myself v* at some point in order to be exposed to it - logically I can't see any way around it, but it seems extreme to me :/

[Ana Bellini]

I asked my CBT therapist about it yesterday and she told me she would never make me v*. You have to be honest to your therapist if he wants you to do that, tell him that you're not ready. You'll probably start with words or pictures.

[jennjt]

I don't see how that would help anyway-- for me, at least, part of the fear is not knowing if/when it's going to happen. If actually v* was part of exposure, it wouldn't be really accurate, because they would have to give you something to make that happen... That takes the fear of not knowing away, so I don't see how it would even be beneficial... Anyone else? I'm starting CBT soon and sooooooo hope that's not a part of it

[emet-ana]

It wouldn't be ethical for your therapist to ask you to make yourself v*, you just have to learn to cope with the possibility that you might get ill.

I'm having CBT with a psychologist and have to construct an exposure hierarchy this week! The thing is I can't decide how anxious different tasks would make me/ what anxiety-rating to give them! How many activities do you have to put in your hierarchy?

I hope your session goes well!

[Grace47]

I wouldn't think so. I hope all goes well with your therapy!

[Ana Bellini]

Just reminding you, don't do anything you don't want to do or it may traumatize you even more.

[KaydeeJayde]

It wouldn't be ethical for your therapist to ask you to make yourself v*, you just have to learn to cope with the possibility that you might get ill.

I'm having CBT with a psychologist and have to construct an exposure hierarchy this week! The thing is I can't decide how anxious different tasks would make me/ what anxiety-rating to give them! How many activities do you have to put in your hierarchy?

I hope your session goes well!

No, it'd be unethical for your therapist to force you to make yourself vomit. They can ask if you think it'd help, they can ask you to consider it

my hierarchy of fears didn't end up having anything to do with my exposure anyways. Not to say that yours won't because CBT is different for everyone