Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T07:48:55.899Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Successful Adaptation of Systematic Desensitization in the Treatment of a Phobia of Babies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

Michael Free  and
Margaret Beekhuis
Michael Free*
Affiliation:
Wolston Park Hospital, Qld
Margaret Beekhuis
Affiliation:
Sunnyside Hospital, New Zealand
*
Wolston Park Hospital, Wacol, Queensland
Get access

Abstract

A case study is presented of a young woman with an unusual phobia, a fear of babies. Barabasz's (1977) technique of systematic desensitization using psycho-physiological measures was chosen as the main treatment strategy. Difficulties arose as the client was unable to visualise scenes involving babies. Nor could she look at photographs of babies long enough for the hierarchy to be ordered using a psycho-physiological measure (skin conductance). A set of photographs was eventually used for the hierarchy, but it was ordered in terms of the length of time the client could look at the various photographs. Systematic desensitization was carried out using the set of photographs instead of imaginary scenes, together with some in vivo exposure in the latter stages of treatment. At termination the client could approach babies without discomfort. Improvement was maintained at one year follow-up.

Type
Articles
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , March 1985 , pp. 59 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Barabasz, A.F. (1977) New techniques in behaviour therapy and hypnosis. South Orange, N.J.: Power Publishers, Inc.Google Scholar
Emmelkamp, P.M.G. (1982). Phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorders: Theory, Research and Practice. New York and London: Plenum Press.Google Scholar
Gomes-Schwartz, B., Hadley, S.W., and Strupp, H.H. (1978). Individual psychotherapy and behaviour therapy. Annual Review of Psychology, 29, 435–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hare, N. and Levis, D.J. (1981). Pervasive (“Free Floating”) Anxiety: A Search for a Cause and Treatment Approach. In Turner, S.M., Calhoun, K.S., and Adams, A.E., (Eds). Handbook of clinical behaviour therapy. New York: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
Marks, I.M. (1981). Cure and care of neuroses. New York: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
Mathews, A. (1971). Psychophysiological Approaches to the Investigation of Desensitization and Related Procedures. Psychological Bulletin, 76, 73–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Murray, H.A. (1943). Thematic Apperception Test Manual. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Nietzel, M.T. and Bernstein, P.A. (1981). Assessment of Anxiety and Fear. In Hersen, M. and Bellack, A.S., (Eds). Behavioral assessment: A practical Handbook New York: Pergamon.Google Scholar
Rimm, D.C. and Masters, J.C. (1979). Behavior therapy: Techniques and empirical findings. (2nd Edition.) New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Wolpe, J. (1973). The practice of behavior therapy. (2nd Edition.) New York: Pergamon.Google Scholar