The components of desensitization include?
a. Hierarchy construction
b. Hyper-stimulation
c. Relaxation
d. Reciprocal inhibition

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (shift-2)

Explanation

Systematic desensitization is a behavioral therapy that pairs relaxation with gradual exposure to a feared stimulus to reduce anxiety.
A core component is Hierarchy Construction, where the client ranks feared situations from least to most distressing to guide the therapy process.
Another essential component is Relaxation Training, where the client learns techniques like deep breathing to induce a state physiologically incompatible with anxiety.
The therapy operates on the principle of Reciprocal Inhibition, where the relaxation response actively blocks and eventually replaces the anxiety response when paired with the feared stimulus.

Option A: It includes 'Hyper-stimulation'. Systematic desensitization is characterized by a gradual, controlled increase in exposure, not intense and overwhelming stimulation.
Option B: It includes 'Hyper-stimulation' and omits 'Hierarchy construction'. The creation of a fear hierarchy is a fundamental step that makes the process systematic and gradual.
Option D: It includes 'Hyper-stimulation'. Hyper-stimulation is a feature of a different therapy called 'flooding', which involves intense, prolonged exposure to the feared stimulus without a gradual hierarchy.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Components of Systematic Desensitization as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Systematic desensitization is a primary and highly effective treatment for specific phobias (e.g., fear of flying, needles, or spiders), social anxiety, and performance anxiety.
Nurses play a vital role in patient education, coaching relaxation techniques, and monitoring the patient's physiological and psychological responses during therapy sessions.
A nurse can use the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) from 0 to 100 to help the patient rate their anxiety level at each step of the hierarchy, providing objective data to guide the session's progress.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the 'components of desensitization'.
Evaluate each item (a, b, c, d) individually to determine if it is a valid part of systematic desensitization.
Recall or deduce that systematic desensitization involves a gradual process. This means creating a 'hierarchy' (a) and using 'relaxation' (c) are key.
Remember the underlying principle is 'reciprocal inhibition' (d), where relaxation counters fear.
Identify 'Hyper-stimulation' (b) as being contrary to the gradual nature of this therapy; it relates more to flooding.
Eliminate all options that contain the incorrect item 'b'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 2421-2423, 2420-2422, 2422-2424

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur - 2017 (shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.