Blaszczynski and Nower (2002) looked at the effect of imaginal desensitisation on patients with impulse control disorders and used relaxation (trigger) monitoring tables to measure the effectiveness of their therapy. These tables are completed at home by the patient. At the end of their treatment, the patient should report a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of urges to act on impulse.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] The technique involves teaching a brief progressive muscle relaxation procedure. Clients are then instructed to visualize themselves being exposed to a situation that triggers the drive to carry out their impulsive behaviour, contemplating acting on their urge but then leaving the situation in a state of continued relaxation without having acted upon their urge. Sessions can be recorded on cassette audiotape for home-practice.
2. [2] It reduces the strength of the drive to carry out an habitual behaviour
3. [2] It empowers the client by providing the necessary skills to resist such urges
4. [2] It enhances a sense of self-efficacy by demonstrating that the client is in control of his actions
5. [2] It can be used anywhere once the individual has learned the technique
6. [2] It can be applied to a range of similar problems
7. [2] patients may forget to fill them in;
8. [2] may fill then in even though they have not completed a session;
9. [2] may lie about their progress;
10. [2] may not be able complete the sheets at the appropriate time each day and forget what has happened (Handout 3)
11. [2] may misjudge the rating of 'feelings when planning the behaviour' (Handout 1)
12. [1] once trained, techniques can be applied at home by the client;
13. [1] applied any time, any place, anywhere.
14. [1] there are no drugs to take and so side effects and no addiction to the drugs.
15. [1] the technique can be applied to a wide range of different disorders: gambling, sexual paraphilia, trihotillomania, kleptomania, compulsive buying, explosive aggression and compulsive eating behaviour.
16. [1] Time with a therapist is initially much more than that given by a medical practitioner prescribing drugs.
17. [1] A person may decide to withdraw from treatment to engage in the impulsive behaviour.
18. [1] Any psychological therapy takes more time than taking a drug at the same time every day.
19. [1] Conclusion: any appropriate conclusion drawn from the discussion that has been presented.