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Systematic desensitization, (relaxation training paired with graded exposure therapy), is a behavior therapy developed by the psychiatrist Joseph Wolpe. It is used when a phobia or anxiety disorder is maintained by classical conditioning. It shares the same elements of both cognitive-behavioral therapy and applied behavior analysis.
The founder promoted the therapy for the treatment of PTSD, and proponents employed untestable hypotheses to explain negative results in controlled studies. [9] EMDR has been characterized as a pseudoscientific purple hat therapy (i.e., only as effective as its underlying therapeutic methods without any contribution from its distinctive add-ons).
Flooding, sometimes referred to as in vivo exposure therapy, is a form of behavior therapy and desensitization – or exposure therapy – based on the principles of respondent conditioning. As a psychotherapeutic technique, it is used to treat phobia and anxiety disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder .
Desensitization is commonly used with simple phobias like insect phobia. [23] [24] In addition, desensitization therapy is a useful tool in training domesticated dogs. [25] Systematic desensitization used in conjunction with counter-conditioning was shown to reduce problem behaviours in dogs, such as vocalization and property destruction. [25]
In exposure therapy, an exposure hierarchy is developed to help clients confront their feared objects and situations in a manner that is systematic and controlled for the purpose of systematic desensitization. Exposure hierarchies are included in the treatment of a wide range of anxiety disorders.
Allergen immunotherapy, also known as desensitization or hypo-sensitization, is a medical treatment for environmental allergies (such as insect bites) and asthma. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Immunotherapy involves exposing people to larger and larger amounts of allergens in an attempt to change the immune system's response.
Since the 1950s, several sorts of exposure therapy have been developed, including systematic desensitization, flooding, implosive therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, in vivo exposure therapy, and imaginal exposure therapy. [22] Exposure and response prevention (ERP) traces its roots back to the work of psychologist Vic Meyer in the 1960s.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: a back and forth eye movement that helps patients process traumatic events. Acceptance and commitment therapy: focuses on accepting the traumatic event rather than challenging it. [5] CBT is strongly recommended for treatment of PTSD by the American Psychological Association. [6]