Somatic Control Strategies

Description of the Strategy

Somatic control strategies refer to techniques one can use to manage aversive physiological symptoms that may interfere with functioning. Such physiological symptoms include shaking, trembling, hyperventilation, rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, and “butterflies” or nervousness in the stomach, among others. Controlling or managing these symptoms may lead as well to the amelioration of related problems such as sleep disturbance, difficulty driving, and embarrassment in social situations. Somatic control strategies are most commonly used for people with anxiety disorders and related conditions but can be useful as well for people with other mental or physical conditions that involve high levels of physiological arousal or pain. The procedures are also used in many cases as preparation for advanced exposure-based techniques. Somatic control ...