PHOBIAS [behavioural therapy] Flashcards
What is the effect of systematic desensitisation?
It gradually reduces phobic anxiety using the principle of classical conditioning
How does systematic desensitisation work?
COUNTER-CONDITIONING
- the patient learns a new response to the phobic stimulus as they learn to feel relaxed in its presence
- RECIPROCAL INHIBITION prevents anyone from feeling both afraid and relaxed at the same time
What are the 3 processes of systematic desensitisation?
ANXIETY HIERARCHY
- patient and therapist create a scale of phobic situations
RELAXATION
- patient is taught relaxation techniques such as breathing, or may use medication such as valium
EXPOSURE
- patient is exposed to phobic stimulus whilst relaxed, working up the anxiety hierarchy weekly
What is the evidence for SD being effective?
GILROY followed up 42 patients treated for spider phobias, testing them with questionnaires and exposure,
= LESS FEARFUL THAN CONTROL GROUP
= effective and long lasting
Why is SD suitable for a wide range of patients?
Some may have learning difficulties, and it is easier to comprehend than flooding
Why might SD be preferable to flooding?
It doesn’t cause the same trauma, therefore patients are more likely to choose and stick to it
What evidence shows that SD is preferable to flooding?
It has low refusal & attrition rates
What is a negative of SD?
It needs multiple sessions, therefore it is more expensive for the NHS than flooding
What is the effect of flooding?
It stops phobic responses very quickly by not giving the option of avoidance behaviour
How does flooding work?
EXTINCTION
Immediate exposure to phobic stimulus without avoidance behaviour teaches the patient that it is harmless
What are the ethical safeguards for flooding?
It is an unpleasant experience, so the patient must give informed consent and are prepared - they are also offered SD first
What is a strength of using flooding?
COST-EFFECTIVE
- it only lasts one session, therefore patients are free from symptoms quicker and for cheaper
= BENEFICIAL FOR NHS
What support is there for flooding?
OUGRIN found that it is highly effective and quicker when compared to cognitive therapies
Why might flooding not be effective for all phobias?
More complex ones such as social phobias are hard to challenge in this way - due to the cognitive aspects of the phobia itself
Why might flooding be traumatic?
If the patient leaves before the end of the treatment, they may become more phobic than before
