Psychopathology
Behavioural Approaches to Treating Phobias:
Systematic Desensitisation:
a behavioural therapy to treat phobias
a desensitisation hierarchy is made with the least to the most fearful to the patient
the patient is gradually exposed to the threatening situation under relaxed conditions
until the anxiety reaction is extinguished
counter-conditioning - the patient is taught a new association that runs counter to the
original association - symptom substitution
the patient is taught through classical conditioning to associate the phobic stimuli with
a new, non-anxious response - relaxation instead of fear
the response of the ‘new’ relaxation, inhibits the response of anxiety
the therapist teaches the patient relaxation techniques like breathing slow deep breaths
and focusing on a particular object or visualising a peaceful scene etc as well as
progressive muscle relaxation
they are gradually introduced to the feared situation one step at a time, from the most
to least fearful stimuli, so that it is not overwhelming
at each stage, they practice relaxation to diminish anxiety
Flooding:
a behavioural therapy to treat phobias
one long session where the patient is exposed to an extreme form of the threatening
situation under relaxed conditions until the anxiety is extinguished
a person’s fear response and the release of adrenaline has a time limit
after this time limit, the adrenaline levels naturally decrease
this is a new stimulus response which can be learnt and the phobic stimulus is now
associated with a non-anxious response (they no longer have a phobia) - symptom
substitution
Behavioural Approaches to Treating Phobias:
Systematic Desensitisation:
a behavioural therapy to treat phobias
a desensitisation hierarchy is made with the least to the most fearful to the patient
the patient is gradually exposed to the threatening situation under relaxed conditions
until the anxiety reaction is extinguished
counter-conditioning - the patient is taught a new association that runs counter to the
original association - symptom substitution
the patient is taught through classical conditioning to associate the phobic stimuli with
a new, non-anxious response - relaxation instead of fear
the response of the ‘new’ relaxation, inhibits the response of anxiety
the therapist teaches the patient relaxation techniques like breathing slow deep breaths
and focusing on a particular object or visualising a peaceful scene etc as well as
progressive muscle relaxation
they are gradually introduced to the feared situation one step at a time, from the most
to least fearful stimuli, so that it is not overwhelming
at each stage, they practice relaxation to diminish anxiety
Flooding:
a behavioural therapy to treat phobias
one long session where the patient is exposed to an extreme form of the threatening
situation under relaxed conditions until the anxiety is extinguished
a person’s fear response and the release of adrenaline has a time limit
after this time limit, the adrenaline levels naturally decrease
this is a new stimulus response which can be learnt and the phobic stimulus is now
associated with a non-anxious response (they no longer have a phobia) - symptom
substitution
