D3b1 The ethics of therapies used to treat phobias

Question 1

Distressing

Answer 1

When person is suffering physically or psychologically. They may feel harm, embarrassment or pain

Question 2

Right to withdraw

Answer 2

the ability of a person to remove himself from the situation, and their right to do so

Question 3

Ethical issues with therapies used to treat phobias

Answer 3

1) Causing distress- both flooding and systematic desensitisation cause distress, both flooding is more extreme. However, patients are unaware of the nature of the therapy they are undertaking, therapies are only used for most serious phobias, and patients have to be clearly distressed or unable to carry on normally to access these therapies. It is important to note that in context of ethics that patients know what therapy involves whether they are able to withdraw or not
2) Right to withdraw- patients undergoing flooding not allowed to withdraw, as it could make phobia worse. Withdrawing would only reinforce fear, and the relief that comes from withdrawing is a reward, which only strengthens their fear. However, patients CAN withdraw from systematic desensitisation, as it will not worsen fear, as patient progressing up hierarchy will alredy be less phobic than before