Treating phobias Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is systematic detestation
A behavioural therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through the classical conditioning.
basis of the therapy is called counterconditioning where the patient is taught a new association (relaxation) that
runs counter to the original association (fear)
- it is impossible to be afraid and relaxed at the same time, so one emotion prevents the other, known as reciprocal inhibition
What are the stages of systematic detestation
Relaxation
Anxiety hierarchy
Exposure
What happens in the relaxation stage
therapist teaches the patient relaxation techniques,
e.g. deep breathing, visualising a peaceful scene/Mindfulness
What happens in the Anxiety hierarchy stage
therapist and client establish the least to most fearful situation of the phobic stimuli
What happens in the exposure stage
Patient is exposed to the phobic stimulus while in a relaxed state.
This starts at the bottom of the anxiety hierarchy. Patient works through the hierarchy gradually being relaxed at each exposure until the most feared step is responded to with relaxation.
Treatment is successful when the patient can stay relaxed in situations high on their anxiety hierarchy.
What are strengths of systematic desensitisation as a treatment of phobias
- Supported by evidence
- No side effects
What are limitations of systematic desensitisation as a treatment of phobias
- Time consuming
- Only works with some phobias.
Evaluate supported by evidence as a strength of systematic desensitisation as a treatment of phobias
P: A strength systematic desensitisation is that it is effective at treating simple phobias.
E: There is scientific evidence to suggest that systematic desensitisation is highly effective.
For example, Gilroy et al (2003) followed up 42 patients who had been treated for a spider phobia in three 45 minute sessions of systematic desensitisation. Three months and thirty-three months after the treatment the SD group were less fearful than the control group.
E: This is a strength because this research suggests that the treatment is effective and the theory it is based upon must be valid. Therefore, this method is used widely to treat phobias and has been shown to improve the quality of peoples’ lives.
Evaluate no side effects as a strength of systematic desensitisation as a treatment of phobias
P: Does not have side effects.
E: It only focusses on learning there are no biological side-effects at all as there would be with medication.
E: This is a strength because the treatment will not lead to the patient experiencing additional difficulties.
L: Therefore, systematic desensitisation is a useful treatment for phobias as people are likely to keep using the treatment which makes it more likely to be effective
Evaluate time consuming as a limitation of systematic desensitisation as a treatment of phobias
P: Time consuming.
E: Systematic densitisation requires a trained professional to teach clients relaxation
techniques, then to create an anxiety hierarchy and gradually expose them to the phobic stimulus, which can take many sessions (6-8 weeks).
E: Weakness as some people do not have this time to give up, or may be put off of the treatment, especially when compared to flooding.
L: Therefore, this could lead to clients dropping out of the therapy and the phobia would still be present.
Evaluate that it only works with some phobias as a limitation of systematic desensitisation as a treatment of phobias
P: Only works with some phobias.
E: Evidence shows it is not effective with social phobias such as agoraphobia. Also, it
wouldn’t work with phobias where gradual exposure would not be possible, e.g. if
someone was scared of death.
E: This is a limitation of systematic desensitisation because it can only be used to treat some phobias but not all. Therefore, it is only of limited use.
What is flooding
there is no graduation of the
phobic stimulus/situations and the highest fear is confronted immediately
- sessions can be up to 3 hours long but only one session is needed to cure the phobia
Why does flooding work
Due to extinction
This occurs because the conditioned stimulus (CS)(phobia) is encountered without the unconditioned stimulus (US) (original traumatic experience) and therefore is removed, extinguished
- A person’s fear response has a time limit. As adrenaline levels naturally decrease a new stimulus-response link can be learned between feared stimulus and relaxation.
Without the option of avoidance the patient quickly learns that the phobic stimulus is harmless
What are strengths of flooding as a as a treatment of phobias
- cost effective
- less time consuming
What are limitations of flooding as a as a treatment of phobias
- Not suitable for all phobias
- Traumatic
Evaluate cost effective as a strength of flooding as a treatment of phobias
P: As effective as other treatments for specific phobias and more cost effective.
E: Ougrin (2011) compared flooding to CBT and found that flooding is highly effective and quicker at removing some phobias (typically one session of 2-3 hours compared to 6 –12 sessions of 1 hour of CBT).
E: This is a strength because it means that patients are free of their symptoms relatively
quickly and the treatment is therefore cheaper and more cost effective. Therefore, flooding is a useful treatment for phobias.
Evaluate less time consuming as a strength of flooding as a treatment of phobias
P: Takes less time than systematic desensitisation.
E: Systematic densitisation takes 6-8 sessions, which can take a long time, whereas flooding only lasts for 1 session over approximately three hours.
E: This is a strength because people with busy lives might not be able to commit to so many sessions of systematic desensitisation.
L: Therefore, clients may opt to choose flooding over systematic desensitisation.
Evaluate that its not suitable for all phobias as a limitation of flooding as a treatment of phobias
P: Less effective for more complex phobias such as social phobias.
E: This may be because social phobias have cognitive aspects. For example, a sufferer of a social phobia does not simply experience an anxiety response but thinks unpleasant thoughts about the social situation. This type of phobia may benefit more from cognitive
therapies because these therapies tackle the irrational thinking.
E: Limitation of flooding because it is not an effective treatment for all phobias. Therefore flooding is a less useful treatment for phobias.
Evaluate the trauma experienced as a limitation of flooding as a treatment of phobias
P: A highly traumatic experience for the patient.
E: Patients are obviously made aware of this before the treatment and so informed
consent is obtained however some people believe because patients are vulnerable and
distressed and the control is given to the therapist the patient may feel pressured to stay or their withdrawal may be delayed in trying to convince the therapist that they can not complete the treatment.
E: Limitation because the therapy can be considered unethical. In addition, because if people drop out time and money may be wasted
L: Therefore flooding is not an effective treatment for all phobias.
