Systematic desensitization is a three-step cognitive behavioral therapy that is used to treat phobia and anxiety through classical conditioning (Eysenck, 2013). The treatment was developed by a South African psychologist Joseph Wolpe in 1958. Hersen, & Rosqvist, (2005) notes that since its discovery, systematic desensitization has been an area of high research interest since populations with different anxieties have been examined to determine its effectiveness in society. As such, it is known to treat not only classical phobia such as dealing with enclosed harmless animals but also a wide range of complex neurotoxin disturbances. Some of the neurotoxin disturbances include adverse reaction to touch, anxiety developed due to being the center of attraction and phobia of being near a particular group of people (Eysenck, 2013). This paper discusses steps of systematic desensitization and its application in our society.
The first step involves identification of the phobia or anxiety and identification of the stimulus hierarchy. Identification of the stimulus hierarchy requires enumeration of a list of situations relating to a target phobia to which one reacts with varying degrees of anxiety. It is essential to capture as many items on the list as possible; identifying variables that affect the level of anxiety. As emphasized by Eysenck, (2013) a careful assessment of the therapeutic requirement of the patient includes a historical examination of the items. The item that evokes the most anxiety or disturbance is placed at the bottom of the list while the one having the least disturbance is placed at the top of the table. The developed list provides a framework that enables the target patient to work on starting from the first item downwards to the last. The primary goal of developing the framework is to verbalize the problem, initiate analysis of the problem and placing it in a form treatable using systematic desensitization (Hersen, & Rosqvist, 2005). Therefore, the quality of the stimulus hierarchy is crucial for a practical achievement of the treatment.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The second step of systematic desensitization is learning muscle relaxation also known as coping technique. At this stage, the crucial aspect of success is learning to relax muscles at will. The step seeks to induce successful replacement of anxiety by relaxation. The technique frequently used by the behavioral therapist is deep muscle relaxation. This method involves exposure to a series of relaxation cycles (Hersen, & Rosqvist, 2005). For optimal results, the patient needs concentration, conducting the exercises without interruption and completing all the activities provided by the therapist. It is important to note that the exercises can be practiced by individuals especially before bedtime. The individual practice enhances the effectiveness of the training sessions. One knows they are ready for the third step which is desensitization when they can relax completely at will in three to four minutes (Eysenck, 2013).
The third and last step is desensitization. This step must be conducted after completion of the first two steps. It is possible for people to perform the process by themselves if they have the relaxation instruction; however, best results are attained through administration by a behavioral therapist. Desensitization involves continuous cycles of imagining items on the stimuli hierarchy and maintaining total relaxation. Each item in the hierarchy must be imagined as vivid as possible without sparking any anxiety before moving on to the next item: Vivid in the sense that the item must be linked to as many sensory accessories such as sound, smell, sight, and touch. It is worth noting that, the items on the stimuli hierarchy are arranged from the ones evoking least anxiety. Therefore, working down the list means a systematic process of overcoming the problem. A person is declared to have fully recovered once they can handle the problem without any anxiety more so after completing the last item on the hierarchy list (Eysenck, 2013).
Through the procedural and positive results achieved by systematic desensitization, it has developed to become a significant tool in treating phobia (Eysenck, 2013). Rachman, (1968) notes that in many instances, the method has been used in research conducted in schools and involves different groups of students with different level of anxiety. Nevertheless, (Eysenck, 2013) affirms that the process has also been successfully practiced on patients seeking behavioral therapist intervention in dealing with anxiety and cites two examples. In the first example, a woman successfully recovered from a claustrophobic phobia. The phobia was evoked by activities such as being stuck in a lift, being locked in a room, passing through a tunnel, traveling in an elevator alone and advanced to the reading of miners being trapped underground. The second example detailed guilt and devaluation phobia overcame by a 41 years gynecologist.
As discussed above it is clear that systematic desensitization is a practical tool used in the treatment of anxiety with varying level of complexity. The treatment process can be self-administered or done by a behavioral therapist. However, it is important to seek a professional intervention especially in the identification of stimuli hierarchy. Different authors have demonstrated the success of the procedure at research and practitioners level. The degree of success affirms the need to do more research on the subject and further embrace in its usage as a solution to phobia and anxiety.
References
Eysenck, H. J. (2013). Experiments in Behaviour Therapy: Readings in Modern Methods of Treatment of Mental Disorders Derived from Learning Theory . Burlington: Elsevier Science
Hersen, M., & Rosqvist, J. (2005). Encyclopedia of behavior modification and cognitive behavior therapy . Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.
Rachman, S. (1968). Phobias: their nature and control . Springfield, Ill: Thomas.
