systematic desensitisation

Question 1

describe systematic desensitisation?

Answer 1

based on the principles of classical conditioning, the idea that a stimulus and involuntary response are associated. developed by Wolpe in the 1950’s and takes place over a number of sessions usually 4-6 but can be up to 12 for a severe phobia. the therapy is complete once the agreed therapeutic goals are met. therapist and client jointly agree what the therapeutic goal should be, can be either in vivo (real life) or in vitro (imaginary). the idea is that the fear has to be unlearnt and replaced with the relaxed response.

Question 2

what is a phobia?

Answer 2

is is a fear that prevents normal functioning in life and is very irrational

Question 3

describe functional analysis?

Answer 3

first stage of SD, careful questioning to discover the nature of the anxiety and possible trigger. this usually involves finding out about the persons responses and what they do to avoid the object and how it effects them in day to day living

Question 4

describe the second stage of SD?

Answer 4

construction of an anxiety hierarchy, client and therapist derive a hierarchy of anxiety provoking situations from least to most fearful. this is the planning stage where both clients and therapists have equal status in deciding the treatment starting position and goal.

Question 5

describe the third stage of SD?

Answer 5

relaxation training (this is desensitisation) people are taught to relax their muscles, taught to imagine happy scenarios, meditate, anything that would help them to relax. pulse rate and breathing rate biofeedback given.

Question 6

describe the fourth stage of SD?

Answer 6

gradual exposure, this is the systematic component, the above stages are combined and the therapy begins, working through each stage using the above relaxation techniques learnt, this stage is only presented when the client feels ready to do so and the therapist also feels they have dealt with the current stage

Question 7

what can SD be paired with?

Answer 7

modelling. in modelling the patient observes the others (“models”) in the presence of the phobic stimulus who are responding with relaxation rather than fear, in this way the patient is encouraged to imitate the models and thereby relieve their phobia. sometimes called participant modelling (Bernstein, 1997)

Question 8

how does capafons et al supports the systematic desensitisation?

Answer 8

90% of peoples symptoms improved, SD allows for an element of control over the situation which flooding does not, they can work through at their own speed, cost effective. however, only for fear of flying so low generalisability.