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Case study: disgust and a specific phobia of buttons
Lissette M Saavedra1, Wendy K Silverman
1Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|November 1, 2002
Summary
Targeting disgust through imagery exposure effectively reduced a child's specific phobia of buttons. This cognitive-behavioral intervention showed lasting symptom reduction in a 9-year-old boy.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Therapy
Background:
- Childhood phobias are often maintained or worsened by the interplay between fear and disgust.
- Limited research has explored the role of disgust in pediatric specific phobias.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old Hispanic American boy presented with a specific phobia of buttons.
- The patient received an exposure-based cognitive-behavioral intervention.
Findings:
- Disgust was specifically targeted using imagery exposures.
- The intervention led to sustained reductions in phobic symptoms at posttreatment, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups.
Implications:
- Imagery exposure targeting disgust may be a valuable therapeutic component for childhood specific phobias.
- Further research is warranted to explore the broader application of disgust-focused interventions in pediatric anxiety disorders.