Systematic Desensitization Case Study
Fear of highway driving 46 year old mother has panic attacks when driving on highways tunnels and bridges.
Systematic desensitization case study. Desensitization or systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy that helps people overcome irrational fears through gradual exposure to the fear stimuli. Systematic desensitization of fear of women is proposed as the appropriate treatment of male homosexuality. Systematic desensitization is an effective behavioral treatment for phobic behaviors. The use of a third person both as a treatment aide and a source of data is discussed.
Systematic desensitization would be used while in the hypnotic state to help victoria visualize in a calm state of relaxation what each step of getting on a plane would be. This case study describes the successful treatment of a phobia for flying in anactive duty united states marine helicopter crew chief by using systematicdesensitization. Based on principles of classical conditioning it is performed by repeatedly exposing an individual to a conditioned stimulus which would normally elicit a phobic response. Systematic desensitization is a slow process taking on average 6 8 sessions.
Systematic desensitization falls at the other end of the dimensions of exposure methods using brief imaginal and minimally arousing exercises. Desensitization does not take into account the underlying causes of the fears it treats. Systematic desensitization is briefly described as a treatmenttechnique which incorporates relaxation exercises paired with the visualizationof anxiety producing images in this case images associated with flying. Systematic desensitization of a phobia for flying with the use of suggestion.
Although research suggests that the longer the technique takes the more effective it is. Research suggests that phobias are learned in the first place through association and can be un learned by forming different associations. The progressive structure of sd allows the patient to control the steps he she must make until fear is overcome. A case report which illustrates the successful treatment of homosexuality by systematic desensitization is presented.
Systematic desensitisation is based on classical conditioning which is a well established psychological theory supported by a huge amount of research eg pavlov s dogs baby albert.