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Behavioural Treatments for Phobias - Coggle Diagram
Behavioural Treatments for Phobias
Systematic Desensitisation
A behaviour therapy designed to gradually reduce phobic anxiety through the principle of counter conditioning (when a new response to the original stimulus is learnt).
STEP 1: The Anxiety Hierarchy
- a list of situations related to the phobic stimulus that provokes anxiety arranged in order from least to most frightening, put together by patient and therapist.
STEP 2: Relaxation
- therapist teaches patient relaxation techniques e.g. meditation, drugs, muscle relaxation, mental imagery and breathing exercises.
Reciprocal Inhibition
- it is impossible to be anxious and relaxed at the same time so they inhibit each other (cannot co-exist).
STEP 3: Exposure
- patient exposed to phobic stimulus whilst in a relaxed state, takes place across several sessions. Successful treatment is when patient is able to remain calm in a high anxiety situation - top of anxiety hierarchy.
Flooding
Exposing patients to their phobic stimulus but without a gradual build up in an anxiety hierarchy.
They will experience the phobia at its worst for a long period of time.
Flooding sessions are typically longer than SD sessions - normally 2/3 hours and sometimes only 1 session is needed.
Gilroy et al (2003)
Followed up 42 people who had SD for arachnophobia in 3 45 minute sessions.
At both 3 and 33 months, the SD group were less fearful than the control group treated by relaxation without exposure,
SD is likely to be helpful for people with phobias.
SD Evaluation
Spontaneous recovery had been found in 50-60% of patients 1 year later.
Suitable for a diverse range of patients.
Patients seem to like it and respond well to it - low refusal and attrition rates.
Flooding Evaluatio
n
Stops phobic disorders quite quickly due to no option of avoidance behaviour,
Could be unethical as can cause significant psychological harm and distress to the patient.