psychopathology: treating phobias Flashcards
What are the two behavioural methods used in the treatment of phobias?
- Systematic Desensitisation
- Flooding
What is the main principle of Systematic Desensitisation?
Gradual exposure to the phobic stimulus while replacing negative associations with positive ones. > This method is structured through an anxiety hierarchy, relaxation techniques, and progressive exposure.
What is the first process in Systematic Desensitisation?
The anxiety hierarchy.
What does the anxiety hierarchy consist of?
created by patient and therapist > A list of situations related to the phobic stimulus arranged from least to most threatening.
What is the second process in Systematic Desensitisation?
Relaxation. > The therapist teaches the patient relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises.
What is the final process in Systematic Desensitisation?
Exposure. > Patients are exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state. When the patient can stay relaxed in the presence of the lower levels of the phobic stimulus they move up the hierarchy.
When is treatment considered successful in Systematic Desensitisation?
When the patient can stay relaxed in high-anxiety situations.
What is the main principle of Flooding?
Immediate exposure to a very frightening situation.
Why does Flooding work?
It stops phobic responses quickly by preventing avoidance behavior. > as a result the patient learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless.
What is extinction in the context of Flooding?
A learned response is extinguished when the conditioned stimulus (snake) is encountered without the unconditioned stimulus (being bitten)
The result is that the conditioned stimulus no longer produces the conditioned response (fear)
How long do Flooding sessions typically last?
Two to three hours
How many sessions of Flooding are often needed to cure a patient?
One session.
AO3: don’t treat underlying cause
Behavioural treatments do not treat the underlying cause of phobias, the irrational beliefs
Behavioural treatments only target behavioural symptoms such as avoidance, panic and endurance. While all other
symptoms are ignored such as irrational beliefs. Additionally, while the treatment may help the patient overcome the phobia, many patients displace their anxiety onto a new phobia after treatment. Which suggests behavioural treatments only temporarily cure the patient as it
does not help solve the underlying cause of the phobia.
WEAKNESS as behavioural treatments alone can be ineffective As a result, CBT may be more effective as it aims to challenge and change the underlying irrational beliefs which causes the phobia.Therefore producing a long term solution
AO3: research to support systematic desensitisation
There is research to support the effectiveness of systematic desensitisation
Gilroy (2003) followed up 42 patients who had been treated for a phobia of a spider, they had had three 45 minute sessions of SD. They were compared to a control group who had been treated using only relaxation techniques and no exposure At both 3 months after the treatment and 33 months after the** SD group tested less fearful than the relaxation group**.
STRENGTH as It shows that the behavioural technique of gradual exposure and counter-conditioning is essential in seeing successful results. Furthermore, it shows systematic desensitisation is effective in reducing anxiety and that the effects are long lasting
AO3: SD is appropriate for all
Systematic Desensitisation is acceptable for all patients
Not only do patients prefer it to flooding due to its gradual approach, therefore making it less traumatic for patients, but it also includes elements that are actually pleasant such as learning relaxation techniques. This is reflected in the low refusal rate of patients refusing to start treatment and low drop out rates. Furthermore this treatment can be used on a wide range of patients such as those with learning difficulties who may not understand the process of flooding
STRENGTH as this has wide application
AO3: flooding is cost effective
One strength of flooding is that it is quick and cost effective compared to other forms of treatment
This is because flooding involved immediate exposure to the phobic stimulus. Flooding therefore can take up to one session.
STRENGTH as it means patients are free of their symptoms as soon as possible and that makes the treatment cheaper.
COUNTER: However, flooding is more traumatic as confronting one’s phobic stimulus in an extreme form provokes tremendous anxiety. Research shows that participants rated flooding as more stressful than systematic desensitisation. This raises the ethical issue of causing stress to clients which may cause high drop out rates which suggests that therapists may avoid
using this treatment.
