Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

Which behavior modification technique is commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder?

1. Reinforcement

2. Flooding

3. Modeling

4. Systematic desensitization

The correct answer is: Flooding

The behavior modification technique often used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is flooding. Flooding involves exposing the individual to the source of their anxiety or distress in a controlled and safe environment, fully allowing them to confront their fears without any avoidance strategies. This method is designed to help them realize that their fears are unfounded or exaggerated, ultimately leading to a decrease in anxiety over time. In the context of OCD, this exposure can help patients face their obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors directly, which may gradually lessen the power these thoughts and behaviors hold. The goal is to desensitize the individual to the anxiety associated with their obsessions and compulsions. Other techniques, such as reinforcement, modeling, and systematic desensitization, may also be used in behavioral therapies for various anxiety disorders or phobias, but flooding is particularly effective for the implosive exposure required to challenge the intense fears associated with OCD.