A01 psychological therapies systematic desensitisation

Question 1

What is systematic desensitisation

Answer 1

The process whereby you gradually introduce an individual to an object or event that they feel anxious about

Question 2

Hiw does SD work?

Answer 2

By expanding time and gradually introducing the person to the feared situation Gradually so that the situation becomes more, less overwhelming and they develop greater confidence and their anxiety diminishes.

Question 3

What type of therapy is this

What is it based on

Answer 3

Countercondotioning

Classical conditioning

Question 4

Talk about 6steps of SD

Answer 4

1
Patient taught how to relax their muscles completely

2
Patient told to imagine the feared situation with gradual steps each increasing anxiety

3
Patient carried on imagining but must attempt to keep calm and relaxed and reduce anxiety whikst imagining

4
If they could reduce their anxiety in imagined step they should be able to reduce anxiety in real life situation so they are placed in a real life feared situation

5
Patient eventually masters the fear