Diagnostic Misconceptions - Desensitisation
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 4.1.14
Systematic Desensitisation and Flooding
Both of these treatments use the behavioural approach within a therapy setting to treat phobias.
Systematic desensitisation
- Gradual process spanning over weeks if needed.
- Patients devise an anxiety hierarchy with their most to least frightening experience in relation to their phobia.
- The therapist teaches relaxation techniques and support the client whilst they are exposed to each level in their hierarchy.
Flooding
- Flooding is exposure to a phobic stimulus without a gradual build-up.
- They are taught relaxation techniques by a therapist.
- They are exposed to the highly feared stimulus, e.g. a snake.
- They become very distressed.
- They use the relaxation techniques and after a while, they feel less distressed.
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Which of these treatments is the most cost-effective?