The Behavioral Treatment of a Young Adult with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and a Phobia of Children
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1997
Abstract
In vivo desensitization and self-modeling were evaluated for effectiveness in treating a 29-year-old female with an intense fear of children. Previous to, and independent of this study, this subject was diagnosed as having post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from a history of childhood abuse. The subject had been treated for PTSD without any impact on her reported fear of children. Initial assessments included behavioral, physiological, and self-report measures of fear, anxiety, and avoidance which all indicated a phobic level of response. Nineteen sessions were conducted over a 6 month period. Sessions involved in vivo exposure to a number of situations involving children and also included edited videotaped self-modeling. Following treatment, the subject stopped avoiding situations involving children, heart rate and blood pressure decreased slightly, confidence increased, and multiple fears in the client's life were reduced. A 5-month follow-up supported the treatment results.
Department
Psychology
Publication Title
Child & Family Behavior Therapy
Recommended Citation
Schwartz, C., Houlihan, D., Krueger, K., & Simon, D. (1997). The Behavioral Treatment of a Young Adult with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and a Phobia of Children. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 19(1), 37-49. doi. 10.1300/J019v19n01_03
DOI
10.1300/J019v19n01_03
Link to Publisher Version (DOI)
Publisher's Copyright and Source
Copyright © 1997 Taylor & Francis Group. Article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Child & Family Behavior Therapy, volume 19, issue number 1, 1997, pages 37-49. Available online on October 12, 2008:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J019v19n01_03
