Imaginal desensitisation

Question 1

Imaginal desensitization

Answer 1

a relaxation-based technique that uses images to assist individuals suffering with specific types of impulse control disorders

Question 2

Year of study

Answer 2

2003

Question 3

Researchers

Answer 3

Blaszczynski & Nower

Question 4

Types of impulse control disorders where it’s effective

Answer 4

-pathological gambling
-sexual paraphilia
-trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling)
-kleptomania
-compulsive buying
-some forms of explosive aggression
-some forms of compulsive eating behaviours.

Question 5

Step 1

Answer 5

teaching a brief progressive muscle relaxation procedure

Question 6

Step 2

Answer 6

visualize themselves being exposed to a situation that triggers the drive to carry out their impulsive behaviour

Question 7

Step 3

Answer 7

contemplating acting on their urge but then leaving the situation in a state of continued relaxation without having acted upon their urge

Question 8

Ways it can be administrated

Answer 8

-by therapists in an outpatient office setting
-recorded on cassette audiotape for later home-practice by the client

Question 9

Why it works

Answer 9

it manages the arousal associated with environmental cues that typically trigger the behavioural urge

Question 10

Advantage 1

Answer 10

reduces the strength of the drive to carry out a habitual behaviour

Question 11

Advantage 2

Answer 11

empowers the client by providing necessary skills to resist such urges

Question 12

Advantage 3

Answer 12

enhances a sense of self-efficacy by demonstrating that the client is in control of his actions

Question 13

Summary

Answer 13

Presented with the environmental stimulus, the client uses guided relaxation to reverse the arousal typically associated with the image. Over time, the cue no longer evokes the same level of arousal or anxiety, and the client learns effective alternative coping strategies when confronted with similar stimuli.