Treating Phobias - Systematic Densensitisation

Question 1

What is SD based on

Answer 1

classical conditioning, counter conditioning and reciprocal inhibition

Question 2

What does SD aim to do

Answer 2

Replace fear (CR) with relaxation as the phobias (CS) is paired with it

Question 3

Stages of systematic desensitisation

Answer 3

Anxiety Hierachy
Relaxation training
Gradual exposure

Question 4

Anxiety Hierarchy

Answer 4

Therapist and patient construct hierarchy of fear
Situations involving phobic object are ranked from least to most fearful

Question 5

Relaxation training

Answer 5

Patient taught deep muscle relaxation eg progressive muscular relaxation
Idea is to tense up a guard of muscles as tightly contracted as possible, hold them in state of extreme tension and relax
Finally, relax muscles so patient is relaxed

Question 6

Gradual exposure

Answer 6

Patient introduced to phobic object and they work their way up hierarchy of fear
Use relaxation techniques until fully comfortable

Question 7

Counter conditioning

Answer 7

replacing fear with relaxation response (the process of removing a phobia)