# AI recommends exposure therapy for PTSD without first establishing stabilization or coping skills

- **ID:** `mental-health/ai-recommends-exposure-therapy-for-ptsd-without-stabilization-phase`
- **Domain:** mental-health
- **Category:** harmful_advice
- **Error Code:** `PTSD-EXPOSURE-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 82%

## Root Cause

PTSD treatment requires a phased approach: stabilization, trauma processing, and integration; premature exposure can trigger retraumatization, dissociation, or increased symptoms.

## Workarounds

1. **Emphasize stabilization first: 'Before any trauma work, it's essential to build coping skills. Let's practice grounding: Name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste. How do you feel now?'** (80% success)
   ```
   Emphasize stabilization first: 'Before any trauma work, it's essential to build coping skills. Let's practice grounding: Name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste. How do you feel now?'
   ```
2. **Provide a safety plan: 'Let's create a safety plan. Who can you call in a crisis? What activities soothe you? What are early warning signs that you're becoming dysregulated?'** (85% success)
   ```
   Provide a safety plan: 'Let's create a safety plan. Who can you call in a crisis? What activities soothe you? What are early warning signs that you're becoming dysregulated?'
   ```
3. **Refer to professional trauma therapy: 'Trauma-focused therapy like CPT or PE should be guided by a trained therapist. Here is the ISTSS directory: [link].'** (90% success)
   ```
   Refer to professional trauma therapy: 'Trauma-focused therapy like CPT or PE should be guided by a trained therapist. Here is the ISTSS directory: [link].'
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Unstructured exposure can overwhelm the nervous system and worsen symptoms (90% fail)
- **** — EMDR requires trained clinicians; self-administered can be harmful (85% fail)
- **** — Detailed narrative without coping skills can trigger flashbacks and dissociation (80% fail)