Is systematic desensitization effective for treating phobias? ...

[crazycityslicker]

Is systematic desensitization effective for treating phobias?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is the basic principle of systematic desensitization?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[Edwyer]

Answer to Question 1

Yes, it does appear to be effective for treating some anxiety conditions, especially simple phobias.

Answer to Question 2

The basic principle of systematic desensitization is to pair graduated imagined phobic scenarios (e.g., scenarios associated with giving a speech for a speech-anxious person) with the experience of deep relaxation. These graduated images form a hierarchy that starts with the least feared (e.g., thinking about enrolling in a speech class) and progresses to the most feared (e.g., giving a speech to a speech class that will be critically evaluated by the instructor).

[crazycityslicker]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[LVPMS]

TYSM