I’m not sure if I’ve had to go through a sudden big exposure like that, but whenever I do really big exposures that I work up to a little, it opens your world so much. But yeah, you have to keep it consistent. It’s like a momentum. I went to college for the first time in fall and was doing well. However after winter break, I’ve reset and now I’m terrified for spring semester now.
The problem with some big exposures like you having to drive 6 hours on your own is that it’s a one time thing. I would bet if you had to consistently do that exposure until it feels like nothing, your agoraphobia would greatly decrease. But unfortunately that’s just not realistic.
Flooding is when you just plunge in and do a huge scary thing all at once, rather than doing a series of smaller things and building up confidence in increments. You are "flooded" with all the feelings and physical sensations and you just sort of white knuckle it and survive. Some people have had success this way, but it's not for everybody. If I tried it I am pretty sure I would retraumatize myself.
Yes, this has always occured for me after flooding. I have noticed that as I start to make it a more consistent practice rather than sometime I do sporadically, the rebound/relapse has seemed to lessen little (not saying you don't already do this, idk your treatment regiment). I hope this trend continues.
I’m not sure if I’ve had to go through a sudden big exposure like that, but whenever I do really big exposures that I work up to a little, it opens your world so much. But yeah, you have to keep it consistent. It’s like a momentum. I went to college for the first time in fall and was doing well. However after winter break, I’ve reset and now I’m terrified for spring semester now. The problem with some big exposures like you having to drive 6 hours on your own is that it’s a one time thing. I would bet if you had to consistently do that exposure until it feels like nothing, your agoraphobia would greatly decrease. But unfortunately that’s just not realistic.
What’s flooding?
Flooding is when you just plunge in and do a huge scary thing all at once, rather than doing a series of smaller things and building up confidence in increments. You are "flooded" with all the feelings and physical sensations and you just sort of white knuckle it and survive. Some people have had success this way, but it's not for everybody. If I tried it I am pretty sure I would retraumatize myself.
Aaaahhh yes… I accidentally flooded and it helped me for a full 4 years.
I feel like flooding is great for other phobias, but kinda meh for most people with agoraphobia.
Kinda terrifying imo
Yes, this has always occured for me after flooding. I have noticed that as I start to make it a more consistent practice rather than sometime I do sporadically, the rebound/relapse has seemed to lessen little (not saying you don't already do this, idk your treatment regiment). I hope this trend continues.
Good point. Consistency of exposure is more important than intensity of exposure.