Systematic Systematic DesensitizationDesensitization

A Behavioral TherapyA Behavioral Therapy

(used in this case to combat a (used in this case to combat a phobia of blood draws)phobia of blood draws)

Systematic Systematic DesensitizationDesensitizationuses Classical Conditioning to uses Classical Conditioning to encourage healthy behaviors.encourage healthy behaviors.

A Behavioral TherapyA Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral Therapy concentrates on Behavioral Therapy concentrates on correcting maladaptive (or correcting maladaptive (or undesirable) behaviors, and undesirable) behaviors, and fostering adaptive (or desirable) fostering adaptive (or desirable) behaviors.behaviors.

Behavioral Therapy is less Behavioral Therapy is less concerned with what the patient is concerned with what the patient is feelingfeeling, and more concerned with , and more concerned with what the patient is what the patient is doingdoing..

There are 3 parts to There are 3 parts to Systematic Systematic

DesensitizationDesensitization

1.1. Teach the subject to relaxTeach the subject to relax

2.2. Create a hierarchy of anxiety-Create a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations from least provoking situations from least feared to most fearedfeared to most feared

3.3. Combine the relaxation Combine the relaxation techniques with the hierarchal techniques with the hierarchal list, beginning with the least list, beginning with the least feared to the mostfeared to the most

Relaxation TechniquesRelaxation Techniques MeditationMeditation Breathing Breathing

ExercisesExercises Counting Counting

BackwardsBackwards Visualizing Visualizing

SuccessSuccess

1. The subject watches a 1. The subject watches a movie where the actor gets movie where the actor gets

a shot.a shot.

2. The subject’s friend talks 2. The subject’s friend talks about getting a flu shot.about getting a flu shot.

3. The subject makes a 3. The subject makes a doctor’s appointment.doctor’s appointment.

4. The subject drives to the 4. The subject drives to the Medical Center.Medical Center.

5. The subject parks their 5. The subject parks their car in the parking lot.car in the parking lot.

6. The subject thinks about 6. The subject thinks about getting a shot while in the getting a shot while in the

waiting room.waiting room.

7. A woman comes out of 7. A woman comes out of the doctor’s office rubbing the doctor’s office rubbing

her arm.her arm.

8. The subject sees the 8. The subject sees the nurse with a syringe.nurse with a syringe.

9. The subject enters the 9. The subject enters the examination room.examination room.

10. The doctor comes, asks 10. The doctor comes, asks about the subject’s about the subject’s

symptoms.symptoms.

11. The doctor says, “You 11. The doctor says, “You need an injection.”need an injection.”

12. The nurse comes with 12. The nurse comes with injection materials.injection materials.

13. The nurse fills the 13. The nurse fills the syringe.syringe.

14. There is a smell of 14. There is a smell of alcohol being applied to the alcohol being applied to the

cotton.cotton.

15. A hypodermic needle is 15. A hypodermic needle is poised in the doctor’s hand.poised in the doctor’s hand.

16. The subject receives a 16. The subject receives a shot in the arm.shot in the arm.

17. The subject has a large 17. The subject has a large blood sample taken.blood sample taken.

The Final StepThe Final Step

The subject creates a state of relaxation The subject creates a state of relaxation as taught by the therapist.as taught by the therapist.

The therapist and the subject talk The therapist and the subject talk through the hierarchy of the frightening through the hierarchy of the frightening situation, stopping if the state of situation, stopping if the state of relaxation is broken, and resuming when relaxation is broken, and resuming when the relaxation is again reached.the relaxation is again reached.

The subject then is able to approach the The subject then is able to approach the real-life situation with success.real-life situation with success.