Systematic desensitisation

• Systematic desensitisation 


  is a behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce anxiety of the phobic stimuli through classical conditioning. If the sufferer learns to relax in the presence of the phobic stimuli they are cured.
• Systematic desensitisation 


  A new response is learnt where phobic stimuli is paired with relaxation rather than anxiety called counterconditioning.

  It is impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time so one prevents the other from happening called reciprocal inhabitation.
• Three processes in SD

  1. The anxiety hierarchy: is put together by the patent and the therapist. It's a list of all situations involving the phobic stimulus in order from least to most frightening.
  2. Relaxation: Patient is taught relaxation techniques like mediation and deep breathing. Patient imagines themselves in a relaxing situation. Relaxation can also be achieved by drugs.
  3. Exposure: patient is gradually exposed to the phobic stimulus in a relaxed state. Takes place over a few sessions. If they can stay relaxed in lower level they move up the hierarchy list they made.
• In vivo and In vitro

  In Vivo desensitisation: patients can be physically presented with or placed in feared situation.

  In Vitro desensitisation: It's not always practical or possible so would use images or get patient to imagine stages in their head.

  It all depends on what the phobia is.
• Evaluation of SD:


  +Research support: Bronson and Thorpe used SD to treat a sample of 30 computer phobic PP and was divided into two groups of 15. One group recieved SD and other didn't. Over a year the reduction in anxiety was 3 times greater for the SD treatment group.

  -Difficult to imagine: procedure depends upon the individuals ability to imagine vividly feared situation or objects. Evidence suggests Vivo procedures are more effective and longer-lasting than Vitro.

  -Quicker alternatives: SD is time consuming. Flooding is quicker alternative to SD.