Treating phobias

What is counter conditioning?

Learning a new response to the phobic stimulus

What is reciprocal inhibition?

It’s impossible to be relaxed and afraid at the same time

What 2 treatments are there for phobias?

Systematic & flooding

What is the process in systematic desensitisation?

1. Anxiety hierarchy

2. Relaxation

3. Exposure

What is an anxiety hierarchy?

A list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety arranged from least to most frightening

What is the exposure like in systematic desensitisation?

Gradual from the bottom of their anxiety hierarchy over several sessions

How is systematic desensitisation effective?

• group of 42 patients who had been treated for phobia were followed up on - there was a control group who just learned relaxation techniques

• systematic desensitisation group were less fearful

• shows that it works

• can now be used to successfully treat phobias

How is systematic oppression suitable for a range of patients?

• other therapies aren’t suitable for people with anxiety disorders or learning difficulties

• doesn’t place patients in stressful situations with preparation and explanation

• can help a wide variety of people

How does systematic desensitisation not treat the underlying cause of phobia?

• little hans had a phobia of horses which symbolised his father

• systematic desensitisation wouldn’t have helped his fear

What is flooding?

Immediate exposure to the phobic stimulus

What is extinction?

Using flooding to quickly eradicate a phobia?

How does flooding work?

No option of avoidance behaviour so patients learn that stimulus is harmless

How is flooding cost effective?

• highly effective & quicker than the alternative

• less time with therapists, lose phobia quickly & treatment is cheaper

• save NHS money & free up therapists time for other patients

How is flooding unethical?

• highly traumatic experience which can cause psychological harm & have patients drop out

• patients do give informed consent, but potential harm can be caused

•could make the phobia worse & waste therapists time

How can flooding cause symptom substitution?

• doesn’t treat the cause, symptoms can reappear with different phobic object

• a woman’s fear of death because fear of criticism

• doesn’t treat the underlying feeling of fear so behaviour is replaced with new response