Psychopathology - behavioural approach to treating phobias Flashcards
what is the anxiety hierarchy in systematic desensitisation
- put together by client and therapist
- list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provoke anxiety arranged in order from least to most frightening
what is systematic desensitisation
- behavioural therapy gradually designed to reduce phobic anxiety through classical conditioning
- anxiety hierarchy
- relaxation
- exposure
what is relaxation in systematic desensitisation
- therapist teaches client to relax as deeply as possible
- cannot be afraid and relaxed at the same time = one emotion prevents the other - reciprocal inhibition
- breathing exercises
what is exposure in systematic desensitisation
- exposed to phobic stimulus in a relaxed state
- start at the bottom of the hierarchy
- treatment successful when the client can stay relaxed in all situations
what are the strengths of systematic desensitisation
Lisa Gilroy et al (2003)
- followed 42 people who had SD for spider phobia over 3 45 minute sessions
- at 3 and 33 months the SD group were less fearful than a control group
People with learning disabilities
- flooding is too traumatic
- doesn’t require a high level of rational thought
what is flooding
- exposing to phobic stimulus without gradual build up in an anxiety hierarchy
- immediate exposure in a frightening situation
- no avoidance behaviour so can work quickly
what are the ethical safeguards in flooding
- clients must give fully informed consent as it is traumatic
- must be fully prepared
what are the strengths of flooding
Cost - effective
- less sessions needed than SD
- more people can be treated at the same cost of SD
what are the limitations of flooding
Traumatic
- highly unpleasant experience
- more stressful than SD
- dropout rates are higher than SD
