Which medication class is commonly prescribed to manage anxiety and fear associated with phobias?

Choice A rationale:

Encouraging the client to face their fear gradually is a cornerstone of exposure therapy, a proven psychological approach for treating phobias. Gradual exposure helps the client confront their fears in a controlled manner, allowing them to build tolerance and reduce anxiety over time.

Choice B rationale:

Administering benzodiazepines as needed for acute anxiety (choice B) is not the first-line intervention for treating phobias. While benzodiazepines can provide rapid relief from acute anxiety, they do not address the underlying phobia and can lead to dependence if used excessively.

Choice C rationale:

Providing psychoeducation about the causes and effects of phobias is valuable, but it alone might not be as effective as exposure therapy or other evidence-based treatments. Educating the client about the nature of phobias can complement their treatment plan.

Choice D rationale:

Teaching the client relaxation techniques to manage anxiety is beneficial but might not be as effective as exposure therapy for addressing phobias directly. Relaxation techniques can be useful in managing general anxiety, but specific phobias are best treated with exposure-based interventions.

Choice A rationale:

This choice describes social anxiety disorder, where the individual fears being judged negatively by others in social situations. It doesn't reflect a specific phobia, which involves a marked and persistent fear of a specific object or situation.

Choice B rationale:

This statement indicates agoraphobia, which is the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable. It doesn't align with the criteria for a specific phobia, where the fear is directed at a specific object or situation.

Choice C rationale:

The correct answer. This choice represents a specific phobia. The fear of spiders is a classic example of a specific phobia, and the extreme anxiety triggered by the sight of a spider indicates an irrational and disproportionate fear response, which is characteristic of this condition.

Choice D rationale:

This statement describes aviophobia, the fear of flying. While it is a phobia, it doesn't cover the full spectrum of specific phobias, which can involve a wide range of objects or situations beyond just flying.