Hierarchy of Feared Events

This handout was inspired by the "Talk Dizzy To Me" podcast episode with Dr. Joanna Wolfson, PhD, ABPP.

We found the concept of a practical tool for addressing feared situations particularly helpful – essentially, a visual representation of the strategies we discuss with patients. We explored online options, and nothing caught our eye so we ultimately decided to create our own.

This tool is adaptable for various patients, regardless of diagnosis, including:

• Individuals experiencing acute or chronic dizziness – as discussed in the podcast.

• Patients with neurological diagnoses, such as Parkinson's Disease, stroke, or multiple sclerosis, especially those with fear of falling.

• Caregivers who may feel apprehensive about taking their loved ones out due to concerns regarding transfers, accessibility, or potential overwhelm.

• This tool can be utilized across situations to facilitate problem-solving, mental imagery practice, provide reassurance, and offer practical tips for patients and caregivers.

We've included two examples below:

Example 1: A patient with Meniere’s Disease following a recent exacerbation.

Example 2: A patient post-stroke who experienced a recent fall at home.

Pro-tip:

- Print and laminate it for your clinic for repeated use with all your patients

- Save it on your laptop/tablet/phone to use with your patients

Fear hierarchy situations (1).pdf

Download PDF • 219KB