Inhaltszusammenfassung

In the past years there is growing interest in psychophysiological correlates of anxiety disorders, particularly in therapy-related changes in brain activity. As patients afflicted with specific phobias display extreme fear reactions in response to clearly circumscribed objects or situations, they can easily be studied under controlled experimental conditions. The majority of research has been conducted with brain imaging methods such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, but there are al...In the past years there is growing interest in psychophysiological correlates of anxiety disorders, particularly in therapy-related changes in brain activity. As patients afflicted with specific phobias display extreme fear reactions in response to clearly circumscribed objects or situations, they can easily be studied under controlled experimental conditions. The majority of research has been conducted with brain imaging methods such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, but there are also studies employing electroencephalography. Rapid processing of affectively relevant stimuli is a key feature for the identification and avoidance of danger. As specific phobias are characterized by very fast fear reactions, the excellent temporal resolution of the electroencephalogram offers a promising tool to study these disorders. In three studies psychophysiological correlates of different specific phobia subtypes and therapy-related changes were investigated. In a first study, electrocortical correlates of symptom provocation and changes in brain activity after successful exposure therapy were studied in spider phobic women. A second study investigated electrocortical correlates and facial muscle activity in spider phobic children. A third study explored electrocortical correlates and heart rate during symptom provocation in dental phobic women. Results are discussed with respect to psychopathology and successful psychotherapy of specific phobia.» weiterlesen» einklappen

Autoren

Klassifikation

DFG Fachgebiet:
Psychologie

DDC Sachgruppe:
Psychologie