Tomophobia, the phobic fear caused by an invasive medical procedure - an emerging anxiety disorder: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Tomophobia refers to fear or anxiety caused by forthcoming surgical procedures and/or medical interventions.


METHODS
We present the case of a 69-year-old Caucasian man who refused urgently indicated medical intervention because of severe tomophobia.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to the rising number of surgical interventions in modern medicine, as well as the high number of unrecognised cases of tomophobia, this common but underdiagnosed anxiety disorder should be highlighted.
Schmid
Markus
M
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University of Ulm, Leimgrubenweg 12, 98075 Ulm, Germany.
Wolf
Robert C
RC
Freudenmann
Roland W
RW
Schönfeldt-Lecuona
Carlos
C