Which of the following is a common intervention for anxiety disorders?

Exposure therapy is widely recognized as an effective intervention for anxiety disorders. This therapeutic approach involves gradually exposing individuals to the situations, thoughts, or objects they fear in a controlled and supportive environment. The goal is to help them confront their fears and reduce anxiety through repeated exposure, allowing them to develop coping strategies and ultimately desensitize to the anxiety triggers.

This method helps to break the cycle of avoidance that often characterizes anxiety disorders, leading to lasting changes in behavior and a decrease in anxiety symptoms. Techniques used in exposure therapy can vary, including in-vivo exposure (real-life interaction with the feared object or situation) or virtual reality exposure for phobias.

In contrast, options like sleep medications may address sleep disturbances but do not treat the underlying causes of anxiety, long-term hospitalization is typically reserved for severe cases and is not a standard intervention for anxiety disorders, and strict avoidance of stressors can reinforce fear rather than diminish it, perpetuating anxiety symptoms over time. Thus, the application and benefits of exposure therapy make it a common and effective intervention for those suffering from anxiety disorders.