phobias behavioural treatment

• systematic desensitisation: gradually exposing the patient to the stimuli in order to reduce their fear
• systematic desensitisation process

  1. relaxation
  2. desensitsation hierarchy
  3. counterconditioning
• relaxation:

  • therapist teaches the patient relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises
  • progressive muscle relaxation is also used where one muscle at a time is relaxed
• desensitisation hierarchy

  • introduces the person to the feared situation one step at a time
  • patient and therapist work together to create a hierarchy of increasing fear of the stimuli
  • at each stage the patient practices relation so the situation becomes more familiar and less overwhelming
• counterconditioning

  • patient is taught through classical conditioning to associate the phobic stimulus with a new, relaxing response
• flooding

  • unlike the gradual exposure of systematic desensitisation
  • therapist puts patient into highest level of fear situation straight away
• (+) high effectiveness rate

  • 75% success rate for systematic desensitisation
  • in vivo (exposure in real life) is more effective than in vitro (through pictures)
  • C/A: 25% unsuccessful. suggests not appropriate for all disorders e.g. those that have not risen from real life experience
• (+) useful for children and patients with learning difficulties

  • can be self administered too
  • accessible treatment
• (-) flooding is highly traumatic, can lead to death and so has a high drop out rate