Tratamiento cognitivo-conductual en un caso de fobia a la muerte

Abst RA ct In this paper, the cognitive-behavioural treatment applied in a case of death phobia monitored during twelve months is described. The patient is a 38 year old woman. In the evaluation, the SCL-90-R, the CL-FODS and objective behaviour were used. The treatment was applied in 16 sessions. Activation control, exposure techniques (exposure in imagination and in vivo, and flooding in imagination), as well as cognitive restructuring techniques were applied. After one year of monitoring, an improvement in the reduction of avoidance behaviour, in the control of anxiety symptoms, thoughts and beliefs related to death, the dead and the process of dying, as well as the psychological discomfort associated to the experience of death took place. The implications of this case are discussed for investigation and professional practice.