Treatment of a bodily injury phobia with implosive therapy

Employed implosive therapy in the treatment of an 8-yr-old male having a severe bodily injury phobia of 3-yr duration. This phobia was expressed in the behavioral symptoms of sleepless nights, hives, and asthmatic bronchitis. Following 2 sessions of implosive therapy, the number of sleepless nights diminished from 5-7/wk to 2/wk. In addition, there was no recurrence of hives or asthmatic bronchitis during treatment nor after a 6-mo follow up. Further follow-up data reveal a complete remission of the sleepless-night behavior and substantial improvement in peer relationships and self-concept.