Psychopathology: Treating Phobias Flashcards
what’s systematic desensitisation?
a behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce anxiety through the principle of classical conditioning. if the sufferer learns to relax, they can be cured. essentially it’s learning a new response (counterconditioning). it’s impossible to be relaxed and afraid at the same time so 1 emotion prevents the other (reciprocal inhibition).
what’s the process of systematic desensitisation?
- the anxiety hierarchy = a list of situations related to the phobias that provokes anxiety in order from least to most anxiety. 2. relaxation = the patient is taught breathing exercises or mental imagery techniques. 3. exposure = starting at the bottom of the list, the patient is exposed to variations of the stimulus. when they can stay relaxed, they move up the hierarchy.
what’s flooding?
it’s immediate expose to a frightening situation. the sessions are longer than SD, 1 session may be 2-3 hours. without the option of avoidance, the patient quickly realises the phobia is harmless. extinction is when a learned response is extinguished when the conditioned stimulus is encountered without the unconditioned stimulus. some patients may achieve relaxation because they’re exhausted of their own fear response.
what’s the ethical safeguards of flooding?
it’s an unpleasant experience so it’s important the patients give fully informed consent to the traumatic procedure and fully prepared.
how is systematic desensitisation effective? (A03)
research support that it’s effective. Gilroy followed up 42 patients who had been treated for a spider phobia in three 45 minute sessions of SD. the phobia was assessed through questionaires and reponse to the phobias. at both 3 and 33 months, the SD group were less fearful than the control group (relaxation). this shows SD is helpful in reducing anxiety.
how is systematic desensitisation suitable for a diverse range of patients? (A03)
flooding and cognitive therapies aren’t suited for some patients - sufferers of anxiety disorders. learning difficulties can make it hard for some patients to understand what is happening during flooding or engage with cognitive therapies that require the ability to reflect on what your thinking. SD is the most appropriate treatment.
how is flooding cost-effective? (A03)
flooding is at least as effective as other treatments for specific phobias. studies comparing flooding to cognitive therapies have found that flooding is highly effective and quicker than alternatives. this quick effect means that patients are free of their symptoms as soon as possible, making treatment cheaper.
how is flooding traumatic for patients? (A03)
it’s a highly traumatic experience. most patients are unwilling to see it through to the end. this is a limitation becuase time and money is sometimes wasted preparing patients only to have them refuse to complete treatment.
