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A behavioral approach to post-catastrophic illness work phobias.

International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine

|January 1, 1977

Summary

This study shows that a combined therapy approach effectively treated work phobias in two patients after severe physical illness. Patients experienced improved functioning and reduced depression within six weeks.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Psychology
Behavioral Medicine

Background:

Work phobia can develop after significant physical trauma.
Returning to previous work function can be challenging for patients recovering from catastrophic physical illness.

Observation:

Two patients presented with work phobias subsequent to major catastrophic physical illnesses.
Their specific fears centered on resuming premorbid levels of work function.

Findings:

A combined therapeutic approach was implemented, incorporating deep muscle relaxation, imagery-based desensitization, social reinforcement, and shaping techniques.
Both patients demonstrated a significant increase in adaptive functioning.
A notable decrease in depressive symptomatology was observed in both cases.

Implications:

This combined therapy shows promise for treating work phobias in patients with a history of severe physical illness.
The findings suggest that psychological interventions can significantly improve functional recovery and reduce depressive symptoms post-catastrophic illness.

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