Intervention in a cockroaches phobia case from a cognitive-behavioural perspective

Specific phobia is a common disorder among population. However, patients suffering from it, ask for help in a more infrequent way than other patients with anxiety disorders. It is estimated that specific phobics are only 17 % of people with phobia disorders who ask for support. Specific animal phobias are one of the most widesector specific phobia. The age of onset is set during childhood likewise storm or darkness phobias, although it can last all lifelong. Today, it is preferred to implement a combination of cognitive and behavioural intervention techniques in the treatment of this type of disorders. Exposition has been proved to be the most efficient intervention technique. Cognitive intervention is required to complement this technique because it stimulates the patient coping with the phobic stimulus. Assessment and intervention process carried out in a woman with cockroaches phobia is presented. The present work shows a cognitive-behavioral treatment carried out, functional analysis of the problem and therapeutic goals. It is also presented treatment outcomes which show decreasing levels in her anxiety response and also in her avoiding behaviour to phobic object: The cockroaches.