Self-Exposure Treatment of Agoraphobia

The present case illustrates the technique of self-exposure as a treatment for agoraphobia. The patient was a 35-year old female with a 14-year history of agoraphobic symptoms. A battery of standardized assessment instruments, as well as the patient's self-report, indicated moderately high levels of anxiety, depression, and fears during baseline. Treatment consisted of daily exposure sessions of one to three hours duration, which the patient planned with the therapist but performed independently. Results indicated that self-exposure was an effective and inexpensive treatment strategy for reducing anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and associated depressive complaints. Treatment gains were maintained at an 18-month follow-up.