Therapeutic Approaches to Phobia: A Comparison

The DSM-III is an atheoretical diagnostic scheme within which comparisons of differing treatment approaches for the same disorder, here phobias, is facilitated. After describing current and historically important definitions of phobia and reviewing pertinent epidemiologic data we have traced the development of psychoanalytic and behavioral treatment approaches for this disorder. For each of the two schools we have looked at the classic formulation, an important early case, and latter-day variations on the earlier descriptions of etiology and pathogenesis. Similarly we have described both the basic treatment method dictated by the early formulations and also some more modern therapy approaches springing from the recent variations. Finally, we have compared and contrasted these two approaches along a variety of theoretical and clinical variables and have offered some thoughts regarding model-building in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.