behavioural: treating phobias

• systematic desensitisation

  This is a behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through classical conditioning.Counterconditioning occurs and this the learning of a different response to the stimulus e.g relaxation instead of anxiety.Reciprocal inhibition is when you can’t feel two emotions at once so anxiety and relaxation can’t be felt at the same time.
• flooding

  This involves immediate exposure to a very frightening situation regarding the phobic stimulus.They last for two or three hours but require less sessions .

  Flooding works because without the option of avoidance behaviour,the patient can understand that the phobic stimulus is harmless.

  Flooding has ethical issues due to the unpleasant experience so patients must provide fully informed consent and should be prepared before the flooding session.