Behavioural Approach To Treating Phobias Flashcards
What is systematic desensitisation and how does it treat phobias
-behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety via CC principle
-if learn to relax in presence of phobias -> cured
-basically new response to phobia learned (paired w/ relaxation instead of anxiety)
-counter conditioning
What are the 3 processes involved in SD
- Anxiety hierarchy
- made by patient + therapist
-list of scenarios related to phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety , arranged least to most scary - Relaxation
-therapist teaches to relax as deeply as can
-reciprocal inhibition -relaxing cancels out fear
-may do breathing exercises, or imagine themselves in relaxing places or meditation
-or relaxation achieved using drugs like Valium - Exposure
-exposed to phobia in relaxed state
-takes place over several sessions , start at bottom of hierarchy
-once patient relaxed in presence of lower levels of phobic stimulus , move up hierarchy
-treatment = successful when patient can stay relaxed in situations high on hierarchy
Whats a strength of SD
Evidence base for its effectiveness
Gilroy et al
Followed 42 ppl who had SD for arachnophobia in 3 , 45min sessions
At 3 + 33 months, SD group less fearful than control treated w/out exposure
Recent review by Wechsler et al concluded SD = effective for specific , social and agoraphobia
Means SD likely to be helpful
Whats a further strength of SD
Useful in helping ppl w/ learning disabilities
Some ppl requiring treatment for phobias also have learning disability
But main alternatives to SD = x suitable
These ppl often struggle w/ cognitive therapies that require complex rational thought
May feel confused/ distressed about trau,antic experience of flooding
Means SD often most appropriate treatment
What is flooding
-behavioural therapy
-person exposed to phobia in extreme form of phobic stimulus to reduce anxiety
- flooding sessions usual longer thanSD (2-3 hrs)
-1 session only at times
How does flooding work
-stops phobic responses v quickly
-client can learn stimulus = harmless as X option to avoid
-in CC terms = extinction
-learned response removed when conditioned stimulus (dog) encountered w out UCS (bitten)
-result is that CS X longer produces CR = fear
What ethical safeguards are there in place for flooding
-flooding = x unethical but informed consent required as traumatic procedure
-given choice of SD/flooding
Whats a strength of flooding
Cost effective
Clinical effectiveness (how well therapy can tackle symptoms)
Therapy = cost effective if is Clinically effective + X expensive
Flooding can work in 1 session as opposed to 10 of SD to achieve same result , so more cost effective
More ppl treated at same cost w/ flooding than w/ SD
Whats a limitation of flooding
Traumatic + v unpleasant
Can provoke a lot of anxiety
Schumacher found p/s + therapists rated flooding as much more stressful than SD
Raises ethical issues for psychologists of knowingly causing stress but isn’t major if provide informed consent
Due to flooding nature, means drop out rates = higher than for SD
So may avoid using treatment
