Systematic Desensitisation

    Cards (11)

    • Systematic desensitization
      1. Client learns relaxation techniques
      2. Exposed to anxiety hierarchy from least to most feared
      3. Relaxation techniques used at each stage
    • Systematic desensitization is often the client's preferred treatment as they have more control
    • Stages of SD
      1. Anxiety hierarchy - Put together by client and therapist, list of anxiety situation ranked from least to most frightening
      2. Relaxation - Therapist teaches client to relax as deeply as possible i.e. breathing, mindfulness, meditation, mental imaging, drugs can also help
      3. Exposure - Exposed to phobia when in a relaxed state, Takes place in multiple sessions starting at bottom of anxiety hierarchy to the top
    • Systematic Desensitisation
      This behavioral therapy aims to gradually reduce phobic anxiety using classical conditioning. It works through a process called counterconditioning, where the individual learns to associate the phobic stimulus with a new, more positive response e.g. relaxation instead of anxiety. A key principle of this therapy is reciprocal inhibition. For example, a person cannot feel both anxiety and relaxation simultaneously, so inducing relaxation helps to inhibit the anxiety response. 
    • Reciprocal Inhibition
      which states that it is impossible to experience two conflicting emotions at the same time. For example, a person cannot feel both anxiety and relaxation simultaneously, so inducing relaxation helps to inhibit the anxiety response. 
    • Stage 1 of SD
      The anxiety hierarchy
      This is put together by the patient and therapist.
      This is a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus in order from least to most frightening.
      E.g lowest would be looking at a picture of a dog versus highest would be stroking a dog
    • Stage 2 of SD
      Relaxation
      The patient is taught relaxation through breathing techniques, meditation or mental imagery techniques.
      May sometimes be given drugs such as valium
    • Stage 3 of SD
      Exposure
      The patient follows the anxiety hierarchy over multiple sessions until the patient can stay relaxed in high anxiety situations (as the hierarchy increases.)
      Treatment is successful when the patient can stay relaxed in situations high on the hierarchy
    • Strength: It is effective
      • Gilroy et al ( 2003) followed 42 patients who had been treated for a spider phobia.
      • Spider phobia was assessed on various measures. A control group was treated by relaxation without exposure. At 3 and 33 months the systematic desensitisation group was less fearful. Long lasting and effective
    • Strength: It is suitable for a diverse range of patients

      Suitable for a range of patients, those with learning difficulties
      Flooding or cognitive therapies, which often require a deeper level of self-reflection and the ability to analyse and challenge one’s thoughts.
      It focuses on gradual exposure and the association of relaxation with the phobic stimulus, making it easier for individuals who may struggle with the complex cognitive demands of other treatments. This adaptability enhances its usefulness across different patient groups.
    • Strength: It is acceptable to patients

      • This therapy is generally more acceptable to patients because it is less traumatic than flooding
      • Flooding often has high refusal and dropout (attrition) rates due to the intense nature of the treatment, whereas systematic desensitization has much lower refusal and attrition rates, making it a more patient-friendly option.