Psychopathology - Phobias Treatment Flashcards
Systematic desensitisation: overview
Gradual exposure to feared object/situation
Based on classical conditioning principles
Aims to replace fear response with relaxation
Uses counter-conditioning and reciprocal inhibition
Systematic process: follows a plan or process
Systematic desensitisation: Steps
- Relaxation training: deep breathing, visualisation, etc
- Creating an anxiety hierarchy: least to most feared scenarios
- Gradual exposure: working through hierarchy while staying relaxed
E.g. fear of balloons
Start by talking about balloons
Progress to looking at pictures
Eventually holding a balloon while staying relaxed
Virtual reality in systematic desensitisation
Virtual Reality Exposire Therapy (VRET)
In-vitro form of systematic desensitisation
Allows patients to face fears in a controlled, safe environment
Can irk through anxiety hierarchy virtually
Adds flexibility and control to the treatment process
Flooding: contrasting approach
Immediate, direct exposire to feared object/situation
No gradual build-up or attempt to reduce anxiety
Based on extinction in classical conditioning
Aims to break learned association between object and fear response
- Locking someone with a balloon phobia in a room full of balloons
Comparing systematic desensitisation and flooding
SD:
Gradual, less traumatic
Patient-controlled pace
May be more suitable for many people
Flooding:
Faster, potentially less expensive
Can be more emotionally challenging
Risk of reinforcing phobia if not done properly
Evaluating behavioural treatments
Strengths:
Research support
No medication required
Can provide long-term solutions
Limitations:
Time-consuming (especially SD)
Ethical concerns with flooding
May not address underlying causes of phobia
Combining approaches
Behavioural treatments can be combines with other approaches
Medication - BBs, BZs may help short term
Cognitive therapies can address thought patterns
Holistic approach may be most effective for some individuals
