behavioural approach treating phobias

Question 1

what are the two treatments for phobias

Answer 1

• systematic desensitisation
• flooding

Question 2

what is systematic desensitisation

Answer 2

• designed to reduce phobic anxiety through gradual exposure to phobic stimulus
• relies upon principle of counterconditioning

Question 3

whats the process of systematic desensitisation

Answer 3

1. anxiety hierarchy = patient and therapist draw up anxiety hierarchy together ordered from least to most nerve-wracking
2. relaxation techniques = breathing techniques or mental imagery techniques to practice relaxation, works on principle of reciprocal inhibition meaning you can’t be relaxed and anxious at the same time
3. working through hierarchy = they work their way up each level of the hierarchy using the relaxation techniques, not moving up to the next level until fully ok with the current level

Question 4

what is flooding

Answer 4

• immediate exposure to highly phobic stimulus
• works on the idea that without the option of avoidance behaviour, extinction occurs, OR anxiety cannot be maintained and so you are no longer fearful

Question 5

evaluate systematic desensitisation

Answer 5

• suitable for many patients = some people may not be able to make the full cognitive commitment associated with CBT
• Gilroy = at both 3 and 33 months systematic desensitisation group of 42 patients showed reduction in symptoms compared to control group of 50 who used just relaxation techniques

Question 6

evaluate flooding

Answer 6

• less time and money commitment = in some cases one session may be enough to eradicate symptoms or if not it may only take a few session meaning it takes less time and less money
• may not work for all phobias = social phobias include a cognitive aspect rather than just anxiety response and therefore CBT may be a more suitable treatment for this
• traumatic = can be traumatic for patients and they may leave before the end of the session or avoid the session all together