Of the following, which would most commonly be used to treat a phobia?

• A. Antipsychotic medication
• B. Psychoanalysis
• C. Systematic desensitization
• D. Electroconvulsive therapy

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation, which often leads to avoidance behavior.
2. Recognize that treatment for phobias typically involves behavioral therapies aimed at reducing the fear response through gradual exposure.
3. Identify that systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy technique where the individual is gradually exposed to the feared object or situation while practicing relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety.
4. Compare other options: Antipsychotic medication is primarily used for psychotic disorders, psychoanalysis focuses on unconscious conflicts and is less commonly used for phobias, and electroconvulsive therapy is reserved for severe mood disorders.
5. Conclude that systematic desensitization is the most commonly used and effective treatment for phobias because it directly targets the fear response through controlled exposure and relaxation.