Flooding

Question 1

Flooding:

Answer 1

• Rather than exposing a person to their phobic stimulus gradually, a person is exposed to their most frightening situation immediately. This is a more extreme behavioural therapy

Question 2

Technique of Flooding:

Answer 2

• Patient will be taught relaxation techniques like deep muscle & breathing and PMR beforehand
• Can be done ‘in vivo’ = actual exposure, or ‘in vitro’ = imaginary exposure
• In this, the person is unable to avoid (negatively reinforce) their phobia and through continuous exposure, anxiety levels decrease

Question 3

Eval of flooding: Has the advantage of being…

Answer 3

…Cost effective, especially when compared to SD which take months or years
- Flooding is a quick therapy which is useful as patients are free of symptoms asap

Question 4

Eval of flooding: It is highly traumatic and many patients..

Answer 4

..might be unwilling to continue with the therapy until the end

• causes a very high level of anxiety
• Although patients provide informed consent, many do not complete it
• This could make it a waste of time and money

Question 5

Eval of flooding: It is less effective for..

Answer 5

..Social phobias which have more cognitive aspects that flooding cannot address very well
- Social phobias can be cured more successfully by using cognitive therapies