A behavioral approach to post-catastrophic illness work phobias.
Two patients developed work phobias following major catastrophic physical illness. A combined approach to addressing their specific fears of returning to premorbid levels of work function utilized deep muscle relaxation, imagery based desensitization, social reinforcement, and shaping techniques. A significant increase in adaptive function and decrease in depressive symptomatology resulted in both cases within six weeks after initiation of treatment.
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009126:Muscle Relaxation; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012056:Reinforcement, Social; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D014937:Work