- Step One – Relaxation Skills. Learning how to enter into a relaxed state at will marks the first step in systematic desensitization therapy.
- Step Two – Make an Anxiety Hierarchy. An anxiety hierarchy is designed to map out different degrees of exposure to a particular situation.
- Step Three – Graduated Exposure to Fears. Step three is where you’re gradually exposed to the different anxiety levels listed in the hierarchy.
What are 10 steps of systematic desensitization?
What are the steps in systematic desensitization?
- Diaphragmatic breathing.
- Visualization.
- Progressive muscle relaxation.
- Meditation and mindfulness techniques.
What does systematic desensitization mean?
Systematic desensitization is a behavioral technique whereby a person is gradually exposed to an anxiety-producing object, event, or place while being engaged in some type of relaxation at the same time in order to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. For example, a very common phobia is the fear of flying.
How does systematic desensitization work?
What is systematic desensitization and how does it work?
- Relaxation training. The relaxation response that the patient will use to combat anxiety will preferably be one that they already know ...
- Hierarchy of anxiety. When we want to apply desensitization we have to do an ordering of the feared situations. ...
- Practice in imagination. ...
- The desensitization itself. ...
Who developed the concept of systematic desensitization?
What Is Systematic Desensitization? Systematic desensitization is a form of behavioral therapy based on the classic conditioning theory. It was developed in the 1950s by South African psychiatrist Joseph Wolpe. The “Systematic Desensitization” method is by Joseph Wolpe in the 1950s.
How many stages are there in systematic desensitization?
threeThe three systematic desensitization steps include identifying a fear, relaxation techniques, and completing a hierarchy of fears.
What are the three processes involved in systematic desensitisation?
There are three critical components to systematic desensitisation: Fear hierarchy. Relaxation training. Reciprocal inhibition.
What are the three steps involved in systematic desensitization quizlet?
Systematic desensitization involves three steps: the therapist first helps the client build an anxiety hierarchy (a ranked list of anxiety-arousing stimuli); next, the client is trained in deep muscle relaxation; finally, the client tries to work through the hierarchy, learning to remain relaxed while imagining each ...
What are the key elements in systematic desensitization?
Systematic desensitization is an effective therapy strategy designed to reduce anxiety. The individual is first equipped with relaxation skills and then is asked to come up with a hierarchy of increasingly anxiety-provoking stimuli or situations.
Which of the following is a step in systematic desensitization quizlet?
Systematic desensitization involves identifying anxiety producing stimuli, learning how to relax, and then using relaxation to cope with a progressive series of anxiety-provoking stimuli.
What is systematic desensitization with example?
Systematic desensitization begins with imaginary exposure to feared situations. Use your anxiety hierarchy to break down the feared situation into manageable components. For example, let's say you fear to go into large stores.
What are the key elements in systematic desensitization quizlet?
Critical components of systematic desensitization: Exposure to the feared stimulus and the exposure must be repeated. repeatedly present the CS without it being paired with the UC and the CS losing its strength to elicit the conditioned response.
What is systematic desensitization psychology quizlet?
systematic desensitization. a type of counterconditioning that associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli. Commonly used to treat phobias.
What is desensitization and how does it work quizlet?
Systematic Desensitization. A technique for treating phobias that involves successively pairing RELAXATION with IMAGINED PHOBIC images along a continuum that starts with with LEAST FEARED IMAGE and progresses to the MOST FEARED IMAGE. Giving a speech.
What is the basic goal of systematic desensitization?
The main goal of Systematic Desensitization is teaching the patient how they can force relaxation and calm down when their body normally reacts from fear or worry. It is a therapeutic intervention that will eliminate anxiety or situations that inflict fear within the patient.
What is the aim of systematic desensitisation?
Thus, the goal of systematic desensitization is to overcome avoidance by gradually exposing patients to the phobic stimulus, until that stimulus can be tolerated. Wolpe found that systematic desensitization was successful 90% of the time when treating phobias.
Which of the following most accurately describes the process of systematic desensitization?
Which of the following accurately describes the process of systematic desensitization? Teaching relaxation; creating a hierarchy of triggers; working up the hierarchy until client no longer experiences anxiety in association with the trigger.
What is systematic desensitization in psychology quizlet?
systematic desensitization. a type of counterconditioning that associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli. Commonly used to treat phobias.
What are the steps needed to develop a systematic treatment plan for a client?
These domains include: (1) patient predisposing qualities, (2) treatment context, (3) relationship variables, and (4) intervention selection. These main principles provide the basis for which guidelines have been developed to systematically individualize treatment plans.
What is systematic desensitization in CBT?
Systematic desensitization is one form of exposure therapy used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Systematic desensitization aims to reduce anxiety, stress, and avoidance by gradually exposing a person to the source of their discomfort in a thoughtfully planned way.
What type of therapy is systematic desensitization?
Systematic desensitization therapy is a type of behavioral therapy used to treat anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and a fear of things like snakes or spiders.
Definition of Systematic Desensitization
Systematic desensitization is a behavioral technique whereby a person is gradually exposed to an anxiety-producing object, event, or place while being engaged in some type of relaxation at the same time in order to reduce the symptoms of anxiety.
Relaxation Training
First, a clinician or behavioral therapist would train the client with the fear of flying in relaxation techniques. This is very similar to meditation, and there are scripts with exact wording that can be followed.
Hierarchy of Fears
The next step in the systematic desensitization process involves constructing what is called a hierarchy of fears, which is a list of the things that the person identifies as fearful related to flying in order from the least to the most anxiety-provoking. The list could look something like this:
Systematic Desensitization
The lesson discussed applying systematic desensitization to a fear of flying. Several other scenarios induce fear in many individuals, some examples include: going to see a doctor, or being in a crowded place.
Systemic Desensitization Steps
Using systematic desensitization to conquer a fear of shopping in large stores may go something like this:
Create an Anxiety Hierarchy
Create an anxiety hierarchy of the steps involved in going shopping in a large store. For example, you may have the least anxiety walking into the store. As you get further from the exit doors, your anxiety intensifies. Standing in the checkout line may represent your highest fear response. Arrange your list from the least to most distressful.
Start With Your Least Fear
Next, imagine yourself standing at the entrance outside of a store. Closing your eyes may help you to picture the scene. As you imagine yourself in this situation, you are likely to feel a sense of anxiety. Use deep breathing to regain a sense of calm.
Take the Next Step
Now, imagine yourself entering the store. You counteract your anxiety with the relaxation techniques you’ve learned. Once you are able to imagine yourself entering the store without a great deal of anxiety, go to the next step.
Continue to Journey up the Fear Ladder
You’re walking down a store aisle, getting further from the exit door. You continue to picture this scene, using your relaxation training to counteract your anxiety. Continue this step several times per day for as long as it takes you to effectively manage your anxiety.
Face Your Greatest Fear
Now you’re ready for your most feared situation — standing in the checkout line. Just as in the other steps, you imagine the scene and counteract your anxious feelings with relaxation techniques.
Get Professional Help to Work Through Fears
If you have difficulty getting to a state of relaxation or identifying your anxiety hierarchy, you should consult with a professional who will be able to provide you with guidance. A mental health professional can assist you in developing your relaxation response.
What Is Systematic Desensitization?
Systematic desensitization is a version of exposure therapy used to help people address various mental health concerns. In this treatment, an individual works with a therapist to learn relaxation techniques and plan a methodical series of exposures to anxiety-provoking stimuli.
The Process of Systematic Desensitization
The process of systematic desensitization will never look alike for two people because therapists work to study and understand how each person’s trigger affects them.
Techniques Used In Systematic Desensitization
The techniques used in systematic desensitization are delineated based on the form of real or imagined exposures implemented to achieve results. Fortunately, there is good evidence to suggest the techniques all work well.
What Can Systematic Desensitization Help With?
When used alone or in conjunction with other forms of treatment, systematic desensitization can effectively treat the following mental health conditions: 2
Systematic Desensitization Examples
Systematic desensitization will often follow a progression like the one outlined above with fear hierarchies and exposures, but the clients and therapists involved will also require creativity and a unique perspective to make the treatment tailored to one’s individual needs and experience.
How to Find a Therapist Who Practices Systematic Desensitization
Because systematic desensitization is a widely used treatment option, finding a therapist who is experienced with the practice should be relatively easy. While there may not be many practitioners who would claim they “specialize” in systematic desensitization, many are competent in the practice.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Depending on the provider and your needs, the first session of systematic desensitization therapy could represent the entire course of treatment as you and your therapist quickly work to learn relaxation, build a hierarchy, and move through exposures at a rapid pace.
How Self-Talk Affects the Recovery Process
Everybody engages in self-talk, usually inside their heads. While not always conscious that it’s happening, the things we tell ourselves about ourselves influence how we feel and behave. For someone in recovery, examples of self-talk may take the form of:
Systematic Desensitization and Addiction Recovery
Addiction takes root inside the mind, shaping your thoughts and desires, which drive your behaviors. This “state” of mind also comes with its own belief systems and thought patterns that work to keep the addiction alive. This mindset can continue long after substance abuse stops.
How Does Systematic Desensitization Work?
Systematic desensitization gradually exposes you to anxiety-provoking situations until you become comfortable with them. As you through it, you’re prompted to focus on something happy or calming.
A Powerful Tool in Addiction Recovery
While addiction recovery is a process, growth and change happen inside the situations you face each day. Ultimately, how you manage uncomfortable interactions and emotions determines how well you progress in recovery. Systematic desensitization equips you with the coping skills needed to work through the issues that most threaten your sobriety.
Application
Wolpe (1964) successfully used the method to treat an 18 year old male with a severe handwashing compulsion. The disorder involved a fear of contaminating others with urine.
Critical Evaluation
The fact that the systematic desensitization technique can be applied in images means that many of the practical disadvantages involved in in vivo exposition with this type of phobia can be eliminated.
Learning relaxation skills
You might learn a few different relaxation exercises in systematic desensitization. These exercises could be used on their own or in combination with each other.
Creating a hierarchy of fears
After learning relaxation techniques, you’ll develop a fear hierarchy for the phobia or feared situation. This hierarchy typically involves 10 levels of fear.
Slowly exposing yourself to fears
Once you have relaxation techniques and a hierarchy of fears, you can start gradually exposing yourself to your fears.
Social anxiety
You’re a college student with social anxiety. When you think about giving the wrong answer in class or having to ask to use the restroom, you feel sick and your heart races. You avoid speaking in class or participating in college activities to avoid embarrassing situations.
Dog phobia
When you see a dog coming toward you in the distance, your palms sweat, your heart races, and you have trouble breathing. Your phobia relates specifically to being bitten, but being around dogs also makes you feel afraid and anxious.
