Phobia Treatments:Systematic Desensitisation

Question 1

What is systemic desensitisation?

Answer 1

Gradual exposure to a phobic stimulus.

Question 2

What are the fours stages of SD?

Answer 2

-functional analysis-conversation with therapist to identify nature and triggers of fear.
-developing an anxiety hierarchy-creating a hierarchy of fear from most to least fearful.
-relation training-taught to relax through methods(deep breathing).
-gradual exposure-work though hierarchy and be calm with level before morning onto the next.

Question 3

What is counter conditioning?

Answer 3

Idea that you cannot feel afraid and calm at the same time so calmness eventually replaces feeling of fear.

Question 4

What are some weaknesses of SD?

Answer 4

-breaking protection from harm.
-flooding may be a better therapy( research found it lasted 12 months)

Question 5

What are some strengths of SD?

Answer 5

-can be done at a distance and online so more accessible.
-better treatment than flooding in mice.