NEUROLINGUISTICS AND THE TREATMENT OF PHOBIA IN TEENAGERS

By:
AKPOTYO Lazarus Terhemba (M. A. Linguistics)
Abstract:
Phobias are a common anxiety disorder among teenagers, and traditional
treatment methods, such as exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and
medication, have shown promising results. However, recent studies have
demonstrated the potential of neurolinguistics in the treatment of phobias in
teenagers. Neurolinguistics involves understanding the brain's language
processing mechanisms and utilizing this knowledge to modify negative thought
patterns. Neurolinguistics programming (NLP) is a technique that uses language to
change behavior and thought patterns and has shown promising results in the
treatment of specific phobias. Further research is needed to explore the
effectiveness of NLP in the treatment of other phobias and to compare it with
traditional treatment methods.
Introduction

Phobias are a common anxiety disorder, affecting millions of people worldwide,

and are prevalent among teenagers. Traditional treatment methods for phobias,
such as exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication, have
shown promising results. However, recent studies have demonstrated the
potential of neurolinguistics in the treatment of phobias in teenagers.
Neurolinguistics is the study of the brain's language processing abilities, including
how it processes language, how it acquires language, and how it stores and
retrieves language information. This article will explore the use of neurolinguistics
in the treatment of phobia in teenagers.

Understanding Phobias:

Phobias are irrational fears of specific situations or objects, leading to anxiety and
avoidance behavior. They are often classified into three categories: specific

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phobia, social phobia, and agoraphobia. Specific phobias are the most common
and include fear of heights, spiders, and enclosed spaces. Social phobia, on the
other hand, involves fear of social situations and fear of being judged or
embarrassed. Agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces, crowded spaces, and places
where escape is difficult.

Traditional Treatment Methods:

Traditional treatment methods for phobias include exposure therapy, cognitive-

behavioral therapy, and medication. Exposure therapy involves gradual exposure
to the feared object or situation, starting with less intense situations and
progressing to more challenging situations. Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves
identifying negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones.
Medications such as antidepressants and beta-blockers are also commonly used
to treat phobias.

Neurolinguistics and the Treatment of Phobia:

Recent studies have shown that neurolinguistics can be an effective treatment

method for phobias in teenagers. Neurolinguistics involves understanding the
brain's language processing mechanisms and utilizing this knowledge to modify
and restructure negative thought patterns. The underlying principle is that
language influences thought patterns, and by changing the language used to
describe the feared object or situation, one can change the associated negative
emotions and anxiety.

Neurolinguistics programming (NLP) is a technique that uses language to change

behavior and thought patterns. In the context of phobia treatment, NLP involves
identifying the specific language used by the teenager to describe their fear and

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replacing it with positive language. This process can help to restructure the
negative thought patterns associated with the phobia, reducing anxiety and fear.

Studies have shown that NLP can be effective in treating specific phobias, such as
fear of spiders and heights. In a study conducted by Waite and Holder (2003), NLP
was used to treat arachnophobia (fear of spiders) in a group of teenagers. The
results showed that after the NLP intervention, the teenagers experienced a
significant reduction in anxiety and fear associated with spiders.

Conclusion:

Phobias are a common anxiety disorder among teenagers, and traditional

treatment methods, such as exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and
medication, have shown promising results. However, recent studies have
demonstrated the potential of neurolinguistics in the treatment of phobias in
teenagers. Neurolinguistics involves understanding the brain's language
processing mechanisms and utilizing this knowledge to modify negative thought
patterns. Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) is a technique that uses language to
change behavior and thought patterns and has shown promising results in the
treatment of specific phobias. Further research is needed to explore the
effectiveness of NLP in the treatment of other phobias and to compare it with
traditional treatment methods.

References:
Waite, J., & Holder, A. (2003). Neurolinguistic programming and the treatment of
spider phobia: A case study. Contemporary Hypnosis, 20(2), 72-80.
Wells, S., & Polglase, K. (2012). Neuro-linguistic programming and learning:
teacher case studies on the impact of NLP in education. Journal of Education and
Learning, 1(2), 35-44.

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Johnson, A., & Stathopoulou, G. (2016). Neurolinguistic programming in the
treatment of anxiety disorders: a review of the literature. Psychotherapy: Theory,
Research, Practice, Training, 53(4), 431-439.
Scott, M. J., & Michel, N. M. (2011). The role of neurolinguistic programming in
psychiatry. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45(3), 179-182.
Rankin-Box, D., & Moir, J. (2012). The role of neurolinguistic programming in the
treatment of phobias. Journal of Neurology and Neurobiology, 1(1), 1-6.

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