Treatment of Phobias

What are the two treatments for phobias?

Systematic desensitisation and flooding

What is systematic desensitisation?

A behavioural therapy to reduce an unwanted response of anxiety

What does SD involve?

Creating a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations related to the phobic stimulus. Teaches the person to relax in each situation

What process of conditioning does SD focus on?

Classical

How can a phobic stimulus be cured?

If the person can relax in each situation in the hierarchy

What is counterconditioning?

A process whereby a fearful reaction is replaced by another emotional response that is incompatible with fear. Phobic stimulus is paired with relaxation

What are the 3 processes involved in SD?

The anxiety hierarchy, relaxation and exposure

Anxiety hierarchy

Made by the client with the phobia and a therapist. A list of situations related to the phobic stimulus, provoke anxiety arranged in order from least to most frightening

Relaxation

Might involve breathing exercises, the patient might learn mental imagery techniques, taught to imagine themselves in relaxing situations or learn meditation

What is reciprocal inhibition?

Impossible to be relaxed and afraid at the same time. One emotion prevents the other

Exposure

Exposed to the phobic stimulus in relaxed state. Happens across several sessions, starting at the bottom of the hierarchy. Move up when they can stay relaxed in the current level

What is flooding?

A behavioural therapy in which a person is exposed to an extreme form of a phobic stimulus to reduce anxiety

What is the difference between flooding and systematic desensitisation?

There isn’t a gradual build up in an anxiety hierarchy. Flooding is an immediate exposure to a frightening situation

Which session is longer flooding or systematic desensitisation?

Flooding, one session lasts two to three hours

How does flooding work?

A learned response is removed when the CS is encountered without the UCS. CS no longer produces the CR. Patient may achieve relaxation in the presence of the phobic stimulus

What is extinction?

Without the option of avoidance, the client learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless

Ethical safeguards

Isn’t unethical but is an unpleasant experience. It is important that clients give fully informed consent. Patients are normally given a choice