Systematic desensitisation

• Based on the idea that phobias are learnt via classical conditioning, so they can be unlearnt.
• The process of systematic desensitisation is over a period of time where the conditioned stimulus gradually changes to a learnt response of relaxation. This is counter conditioning.
• This occurs in three stages:

  1. Anxiety hierarchy (rank phobic situations)
  2. Relaxation (techniques)
  3. Exposure (exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state)
• 𝓢𝓽𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓽𝓱𝓼:

  • Supporting research - 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐲. Used systematic desensitisation for spiders, and it was effective.
  • More effective than flooding - 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬. Found that those who were treated with SD for a fear of mice was more effective.
  • Ethical - more ethical than using drugs. It doesn’t create any distress for the patient, meaning they are less likely to drop out.
  • Applicable - does not require high communication skills or insight, so can be used for children or those with learning difficulties.
  • Long term solution.
• 𝓛𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼:

  • No more effective than any other treatment. Psychotherapy was equally as effective as SD.
  • Exposure - patients will feel anxious when exposed, they may be distressed and not return.
  • Not suitable for all phobias - some anxieties have underlying evolutionary survival components, for example, fear of heights.
  • Cost - SD can be expensive and the NHS is already currently having difficulties so it is less available to patients.