Not true about desensitization is:
Behavior therapists have found that systematic desensitization is one of the most effective methods for reducing maladaptive anxiety. The technique usually involves teaching the patient how to induces a state of deep muscle relaxation, and describing, while the patient is in the relaxed state, imaginary scenes relevant to his tears. The imaginal scenes are presented to the patient in a graduated fashion, or hierarchy, so that scenes provoking only minimal anxiety are initially described. Gradually, more stressful situations are presented; however anxiety is minimized through use of relaxation. Behavior therapists have found that a highly significant reduction in anxiety responses to similar real-life situations usually results from participation in systematic desensitization sessions. The technique has been found to be effective in managing broad spectrum of phobias, including fears of rejection, physical injury, injections, and authority.
Use of systematic desensitization technique involving deep muscle relaxation and the presentation of imaginary, anxiety-provoking situations frequently requires 15 to 25 therapy sessions in order to train the patient properly in muscle relation and to reduce anxiety. Therefore, for practical considerations, application of systematic desensitization, as described, for reducing anxiety associated with dental treatment would probably be limited to only the most anxious patients. These patients could initially be treated by a behavior therapist and subsequently receive dental treatment from a dentist familiar with systematic desensitization procedures and the cues associated with relaxation techniques
While use of the classical systematic desensitization technique is not generally indicated for the dentist, variations of the technique have proven useful and may be more applicable to the dental office. Wolpe and D’Zurilla have suggested that real-life contacts with the anxiety- promoting stimuli may be beneficial in reducing anxiety response and that, in fact, the presentation of imaginal scenes may not be necessary. In addition, evidence exists that deep muscle relaxation may not be necessary to desensitization procedures. Thus, the principles of desensitization may still be applied to the dental situation even through deep muscle relaxation and imaginal scene would seem to be impractical.
Involves deep muscle relaxation through the presentation of imaginary, anxiety provoking stimuli
The technique demonstrated by James and popularized by Wolpe
For use in dentistry presentation of imaginal scenes are necessary
None of the above