Behavioural Treatment For Phobias Flashcards
What is flooding in behavioral therapy?
A treatment method that involves direct exposure to the feared object or stimulus until anxiety decreases
Flooding aims to help patients confront their phobias without avoidance.
What is systematic desensitization?
A step-by-step approach to reduce anxiety towards a feared stimulus through relaxation techniques and gradual exposure
It involves breaking down the original association with fear.
What are the two types of contact in systematic desensitization?
- In vivo (direct contact)
- In vitro (imagined contact)
Both types aim to desensitize the patient to the feared stimulus.
True or False: There is a guarantee of success when using behavioral treatments for phobias.
False
There is no guarantee that behavioral treatments will work for every patient.
What is the main evaluation concern of flooding?
Patients may experience high levels of anxiety during the treatment
This can lead to discomfort and potential withdrawal from treatment.
What is a significant ethical concern regarding flooding?
It may cause distress to patients as they are forced to confront their fears
This raises issues about patient welfare and consent.
What is Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET)?
A method that uses virtual reality environments to expose patients to feared stimuli in a controlled setting
VRET allows therapists to monitor anxiety levels effectively.
What is a benefit of using VRET over traditional flooding?
It allows for more controlled exposure and monitoring of patient responses
This can help reduce anxiety levels more ethically.
What is one reported advantage of cognitive approaches to treating phobias?
They focus on changing perceptions and thought patterns related to fear
This approach can lead to a more effective treatment outcome.
What is a key feature of the biological approach to treating phobias?
It involves the use of anti-anxiety medications to manage symptoms
This can help patients cope without directly exposing them to their fears.
Fill in the blank: The original theory of behavioral treatments must be ______ to explain the effectiveness of newer methods.
corrected
This reflects the need for ongoing research and adaptation in therapeutic approaches.
What is the dropout rate associated with anti-anxiety medication treatment?
Lower dropout rates compared to exposure therapies
Patients may prefer medication as it does not require facing fears directly.
What is the primary goal of behavioral treatments for phobias?
To reduce or eliminate the phobic response
This is achieved through various exposure techniques.
What is the significance of stimulus discrimination in behavioral therapy?
It helps patients differentiate between safe and feared stimuli
This is crucial for reducing generalized fear responses.
True or False: Flooding is considered an ethical treatment method.
False
It raises ethical concerns regarding patient distress and safety.
What method did Wolpe use effectively with systematic desensitization?
He used gradual exposure techniques for treating phobias
This approach has been widely validated in clinical settings.
