Which statement best describes the approach to desensitization in treating fears?

Which statement best describes the approach to desensitization in treating fears?

• A. Combine relaxation with gradual exposure
• B. Pharmacotherapy without exposure
• C. Immediate flooding
• D. Talk therapy only

Answer: (A)

Desensitization works by teaching the person to stay calm while gradually facing the fear. It combines relaxation training with exposure to feared situations in a stepwise, controlled way. By lowering bodily arousal first, the individual can approach and repeat exposure without becoming overwhelmed, which helps the fear lessen over time. The process uses a hierarchy—from mild to more challenging triggers—and the person practices the relaxed response as they move up the ladder, leading to habituation and reduced avoidance. Pharmacotherapy alone doesn’t provide the experiential learning needed to extinguish fear; flooding without preparation can be distressing and less effective; and talk therapy alone may help with thoughts but doesn’t systematically rebuild the fear response through gradual, practiced exposure. This combination of relaxation and gradual exposure is the core approach of desensitization.

Desensitization works by teaching the person to stay calm while gradually facing the fear. It combines relaxation training with exposure to feared situations in a stepwise, controlled way. By lowering bodily arousal first, the individual can approach and repeat exposure without becoming overwhelmed, which helps the fear lessen over time. The process uses a hierarchy—from mild to more challenging triggers—and the person practices the relaxed response as they move up the ladder, leading to habituation and reduced avoidance.

Pharmacotherapy alone doesn’t provide the experiential learning needed to extinguish fear; flooding without preparation can be distressing and less effective; and talk therapy alone may help with thoughts but doesn’t systematically rebuild the fear response through gradual, practiced exposure. This combination of relaxation and gradual exposure is the core approach of desensitization.