treating phobias

• Who proposed the concept of systematic desensitisation in 1958?


  Wolpe
• What is the main goal of systematic desensitisation?


  To reduce an unwanted response, such as anxiety, to a stimulus
• What is reciprocal inhibition in the context of systematic desensitisation?

  It is the process of inhibiting anxiety by substituting a competing response, such as relaxation
• What are the three processes involved in systematic desensitisation?

  1. Constructing an anxiety hierarchy
  2. Training in relaxation techniques
  3. Gradual exposure to the phobic stimulus while practicing relaxation
• How is the anxiety hierarchy constructed in systematic desensitisation?

  The client and therapist collaboratively create a stepped approach from least to most frightening stimuli
• If a person with arachnophobia identifies a picture of a small spider as low on their anxiety hierarchy, what might be at the top?


  Holding a tarantula
• Why is it important for the client to be trained in relaxation techniques during systematic desensitisation?

  Because it is impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, allowing one emotion to prevent the other
• What are some examples of relaxation techniques used in systematic desensitisation?


  Breathing, imagery, meditation, and medication (in extreme scenarios)
• What happens during the exposure phase of systematic desensitisation?


  The client is exposed to the phobic stimulus while practicing relaxation techniques as anxiety arises
• When is treatment considered successful in systematic desensitisation?


  When the client can stay relaxed in situations high on the anxiety hierarchy
• What evidence supports the effectiveness of systematic desensitisation?


  Gilroy et al (2003) found that patients with arachnophobia were less fearful after SD sessions compared to a control group
• What limitation is associated with systematic desensitisation regarding the types of phobias it can treat?


  It is not effective for phobias that have not developed through personal experience, such as fear of snakes
• Why might some psychologists believe certain phobias have an evolutionary basis?


  Because they may provide a survival benefit and are not the result of learning
• How does systematic desensitisation accommodate patients with learning disabilities?


  It is preferred over cognitive therapies as it does not require high levels of thought and has lower attrition rates
• What is a limitation of systematic desensitisation compared to flooding?


  It is time-consuming as it requires training in relaxation techniques and gradual exposure
• What are the advantages of using virtual reality in systematic desensitisation?


  It avoids dangerous situations and is cost-effective as it can be done in the consulting room
• What is a limitation of virtual reality exposure in systematic desensitisation?


  Real-world exposure is often more effective for treating social phobias
• What is the main principle behind flooding as a treatment for phobias?


  It involves overwhelming the individual’s senses with the phobic stimulus
• How does flooding lead to extinction of phobic responses?


  By exposing the client to the phobic stimulus without the option for avoidance behavior, they learn the stimulus is harmless
• What is the difference between the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus in flooding?


  The conditioned stimulus is the phobic object, while the unconditioned stimulus is the fear response
• What is a strength of flooding in terms of cost-effectiveness?


  Sessions are short, lasting only 2-3 hours, and only one session is needed
• What is a limitation of flooding regarding patient experience?


  It is a highly unpleasant experience and can lead to higher attrition rates
• What is symptom substitution in the context of flooding?


  It refers to the idea that as one symptom improves, another may appear or worsen due to underlying anxiety
• What evidence is there for symptom substitution, and what is a limitation of this evidence?


  Evidence comes from case studies, which may not generalize to all phobias
• What does the case study by Jacqueline Persons (1986) illustrate about symptom substitution?


  It shows that treating one phobia can lead to the emergence of another phobia
• What is the overall conclusion about symptom substitution in behavioral therapies?


  It is largely a theoretical idea with relatively poor empirical evidence to support it