Phobia - Treatments

• What is systematic desensitisation?

  A behavioral therapy to reduce anxiety
• What principle does systematic desensitisation rely on?

  Classical conditioning
• What are the three processes involved in systematic desensitisation?

  1. Create anxiety hierarchy
  2. Teach relaxation
  3. Exposure to phobic stimulus
• What is an anxiety hierarchy?

  A list of anxiety-provoking situations
• How is the anxiety hierarchy ordered?

  From least to most frightening
• What does the therapist teach during systematic desensitisation?

  Relaxation techniques like breathing exercises
• What happens during exposure to the phobic stimulus?

  The patient is exposed while relaxed
• When is treatment considered successful in systematic desensitisation?

  When the patient reaches the top of the hierarchy
• What is counterconditioning?

  Learning a new response to a stimulus
• What is reciprocal inhibition?

  One emotion prevents another emotion
• What are the strengths of systematic desensitisation?

  • Effective in reducing anxiety
  • Suitable for diverse patients
  • Acceptable to patients
• What did Gilroy et al (2003) find about systematic desensitisation?

  It was effective for spider phobia
• Why is systematic desensitisation suitable for diverse patients?

  It accommodates those with learning difficulties
• Why do patients prefer systematic desensitisation?

  It causes less trauma than flooding
• What are the limitations of systematic desensitisation?

  It is time-consuming and costly
• What is a potential issue with progress in therapy?

  It may not generalise outside clinical settings
• What is flooding in therapy?

  Immediate exposure to phobia
• How long do flooding sessions typically last?

  2-3 hours
• What is the goal of flooding therapy?

  To reduce anxiety through full exposure
• What is required from participants during flooding?

  They must not engage in avoidance
• What are the ethical safeguards in flooding?

  Informed consent and preparation are needed
• What is a strength of flooding therapy?

  It is cost-effective and accessible
• For which types of phobias is flooding less effective?

  More complex phobias like social phobias
• Why might social phobias benefit more from cognitive therapies?

  They tackle irrational thinking involved
• What is a limitation of flooding therapy?

  It can be highly traumatic for patients
• What are the refusal and attrition rates in flooding therapy?

  They can be high due to trauma