Treating phobias Flashcards
What is systematic desensitisation ?
- behavioural therapy
- gradual process of reducing anxiety through counter conditioning
- patients need to learn a new response to the stimulus
What is flooding ?
- immediate exposure without a gradual fear
- work on the process of extinction and counter conditioning
- may become exhausted by initial fear response and some may achieve relaxation
What are the three processes involved in systematic desensitisation ?
- The anxiety hierarchy - put together by a client with a phobia and therapist. They list situations related to the stimulus that provoke anxiety from least to most frightening
- Relaxation - taught to relax as deeply as possible as it’s impossible to be afraid and relaxed at one time. This is called reciprocal inhibition.
- Exposure - client is finally exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state. This takes place across several sessions. Once the client stay’s relaxed in the presence of the stimulus they move onto the next part.
What are the evaluative point’s of systematic desensitisation ?
Strength = People with learning difficulties
SD can help people with learning difficulties. Some people requiring treatment for phobia’s also have ld’s. They often struggle with cognitive therapy’s as they feel distressed.
Strength = evidence of effectiveness
Gilroy followed up with 42 people who had SD for a spider phobia in three 45 minute sessions. At both 3 and 33 moths the SD group were less fearful than the control group treated by relaxation
Limitation = expensive
SD cannot progress until the person is fully relaxed at each [art pf the anxiety hierarchy, this can take a very long time for someone to be able to relax which means that this can cost a lot of money as many sessions are included.
What are the evaluative points of flooding ?
Strength = cost effective
It is clinically and cost effective. can be treated in just one session. Can treat more people for the same price.
Limitation = Highly unpleasant experience
Can provide large amounts of anxiety and trauma. Drop out rates are also a lot higher.
