Deliberately evoking bodily sensations that the client interprets as dangerous, in order to reduce fear of the body's normal sensations.
Step-by-step guide
- Explain the rationale and obtain informed consent
- Screen for medical contraindications
- Choose an exercise such as hyperventilation, spinning, running in place, or straw breathing
- Conduct the exercise for 30-60 seconds
- Ask what the client felt and feared
- Compare feared outcome with actual outcome
- Repeat two or three times for learning
When to use
- Module 6
- Especially in panic disorder, health anxiety, and fear of bodily sensations
Key phrases
We are going to show that these sensations are unpleasant but safe.
Follow-up questions
What did you predict would happen?
What happened in reality?
What did you learn about the sensation?
Alternative phrasings
The aim is learning, not endurance.
Warnings
- ⚠️ Check asthma, epilepsy, cardiovascular problems, and other medical contraindications
- ⚠️ Do not conduct without informed consent and preparation
Source: Barlow et al. 2011; Barlow et al. 2018
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.