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Rapid treatment of blood and injection phobias with eye movement desensitization
1Department of Psychology, Western Washington University, Bellingham 98225.
A 21-year-old woman with injection and blood phobias was treated successfully using eye movement desensitization. Treatment was conducted over four abbreviated sessions involving less than 1 hour of actual treatment time. Fear changes following treatment were monitored through self-report and physiological response, both within and between sessions, and in relation to the behaviors of seeking and receiving an injection (flu shot) and having blood drawn. Treatment effects were maintained at follow-ups of 1, 14, and 24 weeks.
A 21-year-old woman with injection and blood phobias was treated successfully using eye movement desensitization. Treatment was conducted over four abbreviated sessions involving less than 1 hour of actual treatment time. Fear changes following treatment were monitored through self-report and physiological response, both within and between sessions, and in relation to the behaviors of seeking and receiving an injection (flu shot) and having blood drawn. Treatment effects were maintained at follow-ups of 1, 14, and 24 weeks.