Behavioural approach to treating phobias

• Systematic desensitisation

  1. The anxiety hierarchy - List of things related to phobic stimulus which would produce anxiety in hierarchal order
  2. Relaxation - Reciprocal inhibition
  3. Exposure
• Reciprocal inhibition


  Impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, one prevents the other
• Positive of Systematic desensitisation


  People with learning difficulties - Often struggle with cognitive therapies so SD more appropriate
• Negative of systematic desensitisation


  SD in virtual reality - Used to avoid dangerous situations, not as effective as lacks realism
• Flooding


  Exposed to an extreme form of the phobic stimulus in order to reduce anxiety by adrenaline depravation
• Positive of flooding


  Cost effective - Few sessions needed
• Negative of flooding


  Traumatic