The process of gradually introducing an individual to an object or event that they feel anxious about
Systematic desensitisation
Developed by Wolpe
Based upon counterconditioning: responding to a stimulus with fear, changes to responding with relaxation. Forming a new association that runs counter to the original association.
Systematic desensitisation
1. Relaxation
2. Desensitisation hierarchy
3. Exposure
Relaxation
The therapist teaches the patient to relax as deeply as possible (Reciprocal inhibition - relaxation and anxiety cannot simultaneously co-exist)
Desensitisation hierarchy
Therapist and patient construct a series of imagined anxiety provoking situations. They then work through this hierarchy, relaxing and mastering each stage before moving on to the next
Exposure
Finally the patient is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state
Flooding
• involves a single exposure in non-graded manner to the person’s most feared situation with the phobic object
• Taught relaxation techniques, but shown phobic stimulus with non-graded manner
• Adrenaline released when the fear response occurs has a time limit. As adrenaline levels naturally decrease, a new stimulus- response link is learned between the feared stimulus and relaxation.
