Systematic Desensitization and Phobia Treatment
Systematic desensitization is a therapeutic technique used to treat phobias through a process of gradual exposure and relaxation. This method involves three key steps:
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Relaxation training: The patient learns deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques.
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Creating a fear hierarchy: The therapist and patient develop a ranked list of feared situations, from least to most anxiety-provoking.
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Gradual exposure: The patient works through the hierarchy while practicing relaxation, eventually mastering the feared situation.
Definition: Systematic desensitization is a form of counterconditioning, where a new, calming association is taught to replace the original fear response.
Highlight: Studies show that systematic desensitization is successful for about 75% of patients with phobias.
The effectiveness of systematic desensitization has been demonstrated for various phobias. However, it may not work for all fears, especially those with deep evolutionary roots.
Example: For acrophobia (fear of heights), the steps might include looking at pictures of tall buildings, standing on a low balcony, and gradually increasing height exposure.
Other cognitive-behavioral approaches to treating phobias are also discussed:
- Ellis' ABC Model: Examining the Activating event, Beliefs, and Consequences of phobic reactions.
- Flooding: A more intense exposure therapy where the patient faces their fear directly.
- Beck's Negative Triad: Addressing irrational and negative beliefs that contribute to phobias.
Vocabulary: Counterconditioning refers to the process of replacing an undesirable response to a stimulus with a more desirable one.
The document also explores various theories explaining the development of phobias:
- Classical conditioning: Phobias are acquired through association with a traumatic event.
Example: A dog bite (unconditioned stimulus) creates fear (unconditioned response). The dog (neutral stimulus) becomes associated with fear, becoming a conditioned stimulus that produces a fear response.
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Operant conditioning: Phobic behaviors are reinforced through avoidance.
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Social Learning Theory: Phobias may be learned by observing others' fearful responses.
Quote: "Support for social learning - Bandura and Rosenthal did an experiment where a model acted as if he was in pain every time a buzzer sounded. Participants who had observed this also showed an emotional reaction to the buzzer."
These theories form part of the Two-process model of phobias, which combines classical and operant conditioning to explain phobia acquisition and maintenance.
