The Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation, an NGO, based in Enugu state, has advocated using exposure therapy in psychological treatment for people living with excessive fear and anxiety.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu, made the call while speaking on Thursday on increasing fear and anxiety faced by many Nigerians due to uncertainties of life.
Nwachukwu, who is a psychologist, said that excessive fear and anxiety could trigger restlessness, unnecessary aggressiveness, anger, feelings of insecurity and thoughts of hopelessness as well as feelings of dejection and feelings of failure in people.
According to him, exposure therapy is a widely used and evidence-based psychological treatment designed to help individuals confront and overcome their fears and anxieties.
He said, “It involves gradually exposing individuals to feared situations, objects or thoughts in a controlled environment.
“Over time, the repeated exposure helps reduce the emotional response to these fear and anxiety triggers, allowing individuals to regain control over their lives.
“This form of therapy is highly effective, especially for fear and anxiety-related disorders.”
Nwachukwu noted that exposure therapy remained an age-long powerful and transformative treatment for fear and anxiety disorders.
“Although exposure therapy presents challenges, such as initial discomfort and the risk of temporary anxiety increases, the long-term advantages—reduced avoidance, desensitisation to fear, improved social functioning, and lasting relief—far outweigh the drawbacks.
NAN
