Psychopathology- The Behavioural Approach To Treating Phobias Flashcards
Systematic desensitisation (SD) -
A behavioural therapy designed to reduce an unwanted response, such as anxiety, to a stimulus. SD involves drawing up a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations related to the phobic stimulus, teaching the patient to relax, and then exposing them to phobic situations. The patient works their way through the hierarchy whilst maintaining relaxation.
Flooding -
A behavioural therapy in which a phobic patient is exposed to an extreme form of a phobic stimulus in order to reduce anxiety triggered by that stimulus. This takes place across a small number of long therapy sessions.
What is the goal of Systematic Desensitisation (SD) ?
SD aims to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through classical conditioning by helping the sufferer relax in the presence of the phobic stimulus.
What is counterconditioning in SD?
Counterconditioning is the process where the phobic stimulus is paired with relaxation instead of anxiety, leading to a new response to the stimulus.
What is reciprocal inhibition?
Reciprocal inhibition is the principle that it is impossible to experience fear and relaxation simultaneously, meaning that relaxation prevents fear.
What are the three main processes involved in SD?
The three processes are:
1.Anxiety Hierarchy: A list of situations related to the phobic stimulus, ranked from least to most frightening.
2.Relaxation: The therapist teaches the patient to relax deeply, through techniques like breathing exercises or mental imagery.
3.Exposure: The patient is gradually exposed to the phobic stimulus while relaxed, starting with the least frightening situation and moving up the hierarchy.
How does exposure work in SD?
Exposure involves gradually facing the phobic stimulus in a relaxed state, starting with less frightening scenarios and progressing up the anxiety hierarchy until the patient can remain relaxed even in the most fear-inducing situations.
What is flooding and how does it differ from SD?
Flooding involves immediate and intense exposure to the phobic stimulus, skipping the gradual buildup seen in SD. It typically involves one long session, lasting two to three hours, as opposed to multiple shorter sessions.
How does flooding work to stop phobic responses?
Flooding works by removing the option for avoidance, forcing the patient to face the phobic stimulus directly, which leads them to realize that the stimulus is not harmful. This process is called extinction in classical conditioning, where the conditioned fear response is extinguished because the stimulus is encountered without the feared unconditioned stimulus.
What might happen during a flooding session in terms of the patient’s fear response?
The patient may become exhausted by their own fear response, potentially leading to relaxation in the presence of the phobic stimulus.
What ethical safeguards are required for flooding?
Since flooding is a traumatic experience, it is important to ensure the patient gives fully informed consent and is adequately prepared for the procedure. Patients typically have the choice between SD and flooding.
Is SD effective in treating phobias?
Yes, research shows that SD is effective in reducing phobic anxiety. For example, Gilroy et al. (2003) studied patients treated for spider phobia and found that those who underwent SD had less fear compared to a control group, and the effects were long-lasting (assessed at 3 months and 33 months post-treatment).
Is SD suitable for a diverse range of patients?
Yes, SD is suitable for patients with learning difficulties, as it does not require cognitive engagement as much as other therapies like flooding or cognitive therapy. This makes SD an appropriate choice for individuals who may struggle with these other therapies.
Why do patients prefer SD over other treatments?
Patients prefer SD because it is less traumatic than flooding and includes relaxation techniques, which are often seen as enjoyable. This preference is reflected in low refusal and attrition rates, meaning fewer patients drop out of treatment or refuse to begin it.
Is SD cost-effective?
Yes, SD is cost-effective because it provides long-term results while typically requiring fewer sessions than other therapies like flooding. This makes it a more affordable option for treating phobias.
