alt treatment of phobias: flooding

Question 1

what is flooding?

Answer 1

also involves exposing phobic patients to phobia but without a gradual build up
it is immediate exposure to a very frightening situation
sessions are typically between 2-3 hours, sometimes one session can cure the phobia.

Question 2

more on how it works

Answer 2

• the client is exposed to the phobic object/ situation for a prolonged period of time ( essentially until they have overcome it)
• without the option for avoidance behaviour, the client quickly learns that the phobic stimulus is harmful. this process is called extinction.

Question 3

appropriateness

Answer 3

:) highly effective for specific phobias.
this is because the treatment can target the source of anxiety quickly. therefore it is appropriate for individuals who are motivated to overcome their phobia.
CA= less effective for other types of phobia, including agoraphobia.

Question 4

practical

Answer 4

:) it is quick and efficient.
a client is immersed in their phobia. this works on the principle that our bodies can not maintain such a high level of stress for too long, and so we begin to relax and associate the relaxed state with the previously phobic object/ situation.
therefore, it is much faster than other therapies, and aims to treat it immediately. it is much more cost and time effective
CA= may not be as practical as SD,
because it could lead to spontaneous recovery when back in a normal environment. flooding does not provide relaxation strategies which can be used outside the therapy setting. therefore, may not be the most effective long term.

Question 5

effectiveness

Answer 5

:) wolf 1973 studied a girl who was scared of cars and drove her around for several hours. while at first hysterical, she calmed down.
this clearly supports the fact that after a short amount of time experiencing anxiety when we are faced with our fear head on, our bodies do creat more relaxed associations with the phobia.
CA= not always effective in treating phobia
flooding is based on the idea of unavoidable exposure. this treatment therefore runs the risk of increasing the strength of the conditioned response to the feared object/ situation rather than extinguishing it.

Question 6

ethics

Answer 6

:( may be seen as more unethical
people are put into a state of alarm and cannot escape their phobic stimulus. therefore, they are not protected from harm.
CA= that said, patients must give fully informed consent to take part in treatment. patients understand what will happen and know it will be scary to begin with.
the benefits of the therapy may outweigh the costs to the client.