Psychology:Aversion therapy

Aversion Therapy-Definitions,Uses Of Aversion Therapy,Types Of Stimuli Used In Aversion Therapy,Electrical Shocks,Advantages Of Using Electrical Shocks

1. Aversion Therapy Anu Mary Kalliath Assistant Professor Department of Psychology St. Mary’s College, Thrissur

2. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College AVERSION THERAPY - DEFINITIONS Aversion therapy is a form of behavior therapy that uses the principles of classical conditioning in which an aversive stimulus is paired with a maladaptive behavior in order to reduce or eliminate that behavior . Aversion therapy is a type of behavior therapy designed to make patients to give up an undesirable habit by causing them to associate it with an unpleasant effect . Aversion therapy is a form of psychological treatment in which the patient is exposed to a stimulus while simultaneously being subjected to some form of discomfort Aversion therapy is also known as conversion therapy or reparative therapy.

3. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College Uses Of Aversion Therapy Used for treating: Homosexuality Sexually deviant children Addictions e.g. Smoking, alcoholism Bad Habits e.g. Nail biting Cross dressing Violent behavior Anger problems Weight loss

4. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College Types Of Stimuli Used In Aversion Therapy Most Frequently used aversion stimuli are: Electrical Shocks Chemical Stimuli Olfactory Or Gustatory Stimuli

5. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College ELECTRICAL SHOCKS Widely used and most controversial form of aversion therapy. It involves administering an electrical shock via a device that is attached to some part of the body. The individual receives a shock every time he or she engages in the unwanted behavior. Used to treat addiction and other types of unwanted or unacceptable behavior like homosexuality.

6. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College Advantages Of Using Electrical Shocks Fewer potential adverse or unexpected side effects Therapist has complete control over the negative stimulus Less expensive than other types Ease of administration

7. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College CHEMICAL STIMULI A substance or medication that has a disgusting taste or causes highly unpleasant side effects . Used for alcohol addiction Disulfiram is an example of a chemical stimulus. D isulfiram disrupts the way alcohol is normally metabolized in the body, causing side effects to occur within 10 minutes after taking a drink.  Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, intense headache, flushing, shortness of breath, and dizziness.  Advantage - it can be quite effective for some individuals and types of behavior. 

8. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College Disadvantages of Using Chemical Stimuli Greater potential for unexpected or serious negative side effects (e.g. disulfiram can make some individuals very ill) Less therapist control over administration of the stimulus It can be quite expensive, particularly when it requires medical supervision. 

9. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College OLFACTORY OR GUSTATORY STIMULI  The term olfactory pertains to the sense of smell. Ammonia is the most frequently used olfactory stimuli. T hese stimuli involves exposure to an intensely foul odor, each time the person engages in or imagines doing the unwanted behavior . U sed in the treatment of homosexuality as well as children and adolescents who were considered sexually deviant.  T he term gustatory pertains to the sense of taste. A bitter-tasting substance painted on the fingers of compulsive nail biters to avoid the unwanted behavior.

10. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College It is also known as verbal aversion therapy. it relies on the individual’s imagination to produce the unpleasant “covert” stimuli. An alcoholic using covert sensitization would vividly imagine a highly disturbing or unpleasant consequence of drinking, such as horrible nausea and vomiting. This thought may disturb the individual and he or she may stop the behavior due to the fear of the later consequences. An individual struggling with overeating could vividly imagine the desired food covered in something repulsive, such as live maggots or cat urine. COVERT SENSITIZATION

11. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College No actual consequences or suffering (e.g. the pain or discomfort of an electrical shock or the negative side effects of a drug) are actually experienced – they’re only imagined.  By removing the actual consequences, the ethical issues and potential physical and psychological risks are also eliminated.  The client is in complete control of whatever he or she imagines. Disadvantages if the imagined consequence isn’t intensely disturbing it won’t have enough of an impact to be effective it can be used with individuals, whose motivation is high. Advantages of Covert Sensitization

12. Psychotherapeutics, Anu Mary Kalliath , St.Mary’s College Have the client undergo a medical exam, in order to ensure that the type of stimulus being used is safe for the client. Educating the client regarding how treatment works and what will take place, so the client knows exactly what to expect. Have the client sign a consent form stating that he or she understands the process and agrees to participate in aversion therapy. Precautions Taken Before Aversion Therapy