Systematic desensitisation

• What is systematic desensitisation?

  A behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through classical conditioning
• what is counterconditioning?

  a new response to the phobic stimulus is learned
• what is reciprocal inhibition?

  it is impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, so one emotion prevents the other
• what are the steps in systematic desensitisation?

  1. anxiety hierarchy
  2. relaxation
  3. exposure
• explain anxiety hierarchy?

  a heirarchy of situations related to the phobic stimulus that ranges from least to most frightening
• explain relaxation?

  the patient is taught relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises
• explain exposure?

  • patient exposed to phobic stimulus whilst in a relaxed state.
  • when phobic can stay relaxed in the lower levels, they move up the hierarchy.
  • treatment successful when patient can stay relaxed in situations high on the anxiety hierarchy