Principles and Process of Systematic Desensitization
Systematic desensitization therapy is a structured approach to treating phobias and anxiety disorders. It follows a step-by-step process designed to gradually expose individuals to their fears while maintaining a state of relaxation.
The main principles of systematic desensitization steps include:
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Teaching relaxation techniques: Patients learn deep muscle relaxation and breathing exercises to manage anxiety.
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Creating a fear hierarchy: A list of fear-inducing stimuli is developed, ranging from least to most anxiety-provoking.
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Gradual exposure: Patients work through the hierarchy, applying relaxation techniques at each stage.
Vocabulary: Reciprocal inhibition - A process where one response e.g.,relaxation inhibits an incompatible response e.g.,fear.
Example: A person with a fear of dogs might start by looking at pictures of dogs, then progress to watching videos, seeing dogs from a distance, and eventually petting a dog.
Counter conditioning is a crucial aspect of systematic desensitization. This process involves teaching a new stimulus-response association, replacing fear with relaxation when encountering the feared object or situation.
Definition: Counter conditioning is the process of replacing an undesirable response to a stimulus with a more desirable one through repeated pairings.
There are two main forms of systematic desensitization:
- In vivo: Directly confronting fears in real-life situations.
- In vitro: Imagining the presence of the feared stimulus.
Highlight: A combination of both in vivo and in vitro techniques often yields the best results in systematic desensitization therapy.
