systematic desensitisation

• phobic stimulus paired with relaxation instead of anxiety - counter conditioning
• unlearning phobia by tackling avoidance behaviour
• reciprocal inhibition - can't be scared and relaxed at the same time, one emotion prevents the other
• 3 processes

  1. anxiety hierarchy - list of situations related to phobic stimulus that provokes anxiety, listed from least to most frightening
• 3 processes

  2. relaxation - patient taught to relax as deeply as possible
• 3 processes

  3. exposure - patient exposed to phobia in relaxed state and move up the hierarchy
• people gradually move their way up the fear hierarchy until they are completely relaxed in the most feared situation, reducing their phobia
• X not effective for treating all phobias
• ✔️ thought to be more successful than flooding as the patient is in control of their progress, not the therapist
• ❌ requires high levels of motivation and commitment from patients
• ❌ can take months or years to complete