Treatments for Phobias Flashcards
What conditioning is systematic desensitisation
Classical conditioning
How does classical conditioning affect phobias
It is the cause and cure for phobias
Counter-conditioning
New response to a stimulus is learned by pairing it with the response of relaxation instead of anxiety
Reciprocal inhibition
Can’t be afraid and relaxed at same time so one emotion prevents the other
What is systematic desensitisation
Treating someones phobias through graded exposure and relaxation
What does the therapist and client create to help overcome their fears
The anxiety hierarchy
What is the anxiety hierarchy
Construct pyramid of fears from least scary at bottom to most scary
How does the client use the anxiety hierarchy
Client has to become relaxed at each step and then moves to scarier fear
Give an example of the anxiety hierarchy (spiders)
Create a pyramid with at the bottom a picture of a spider at the end of a hallway. Move closer to the spider. Next is looking at a tiny spider. Gradually end up holding a tarantula
What are the three steps of systematic desensitisation
The anxiety hierarchy
Relaxation
Exposure
How does the client reach relaxation at each stage
Therapist teaches client to relax deeply or uses drugs (valium)
Process of systematic desensitisation in exposure
When relaxed client is exposed to phobic stimulus starting at bottom of hierarchy to top
Client stays relaxed and moves to later stages
Treatment successful when relaxed in situations
What is flooding
Full exposure to phobia
How long does flooding last
2-3hrs, sometimes only need 1 hour
How does flooding work
Stops phobic responses quickly
Cannot avoid phobic stimulus so learn its harmless
