Systematic Desensitization

Chill
The relaxation aspect
The participants are helped to relax, by controlling their breathing (deeper and slower) muscular relaxation, and visualisation. Visualisation may involve picturing a place significant to the individual where they have experienced great relaxation. Sometimes hypnosis is used

A hierarchy of fear
The conditioned stimulus, (which is the phobia) is assorted into a hierarch of fear. So varied forms of the conditioned stimulus are franked from least fearful to most fearful. The participant is presented with the least scary version of their phobia first, until they become comfortable with it, then gradually progress to the most extreme version of their phobia.

A therapy to replace Fear with Relaxation

Technique involving classical conditioning

How effective is Systematic Desensitization?

Systematic desensitization is extremely effective when the fear is a learn response as it can be unlearnt. However in cases such as schizophrenia or depression, it proves less effective.

How does it work?

The conditioned stimulus (which is the phobia) is paired with a new relaxation response. The persons original fear is gradually relieved. When the fear of the stimulus is significantly reduced, they are then confronted with the next fear in the hierarchy. For example: A scary creature such as a spider or snake may be paired with the visualization of a sunny beach.

Reciprocal inhibition

The technique used to reduce feelings of fear can be applied to the participant to other instances of stress. So one can self-systematic desensitize.
The length of time required for this procedure varies. In less extreme cases only 4-6 therapy sessions are needed, in cases where the conditioned response is more embedded (with more neurological links made in the brain) more therapy sessions are vital.

One cannot be both relaxed and anxious at the same time