Systematic Desensitisation

Question 1

Strength: RTS

Answer 1

Gilroy, she followed up 42 people who had SD for spider phobias in three 45 min sessions using gradual exposure, 3 months after treatment and 33 months after treatment, SD group much less fearful than control group, suggesting re association is effective behavioural treatment

Question 2

Weakness: may not be appropriate

Answer 2

May not be appropriate for all patients as requires motivation and commitment, must attend sessions over period of time and be exposed to anxiety provoking situations, may stop therapy, treatment ineffective and anxiety will return, unlike drug therapy which requires little motivation and commitment, tablet to reduce anxiety, limits appropriateness

Question 3

Strength: high control over own therapy

Answer 3

Patient has high control over own therapy, create own hierarchy of anxiety, gradually exposed to feared stimuli, only move onto next stage when fully relaxed, unlike flooding which can be quite traumatic as immediately exposed, high anxiety levels, appropriate due to low attrition rates

Question 4

Strength: completed using virtual reality

Answer 4

Can also be completed using virtual reality, exposure using VR can avoid dangerous situations such as heights or dangerous animals, cost and time effective as don’t need to leave the consultation room, can be used to treat wide scope of phobias, accessible treatment for wide variety of patients