Expositionstherapie mit Virtual Reality bei Blut-, Verletzungs- und Spritzenphobie. Eine Fallstudie

Abstract

This case study describes the treatment of a patient with a blood-injection-injury type phobia including fainting and severe avoidance behavior, with the use of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET). The patient has been treated over the course of 10 sessions. A variety of techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy such as psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, relaxation exercises and exposure therapy with pictures, videos and a Virtual Reality (VR) blood draw have been used.
Results: Over the course of the treatment, the fear was significantly reduced leading to a successful blood draw two days after the last session. In the year following the treatment the patient did several successful blood draws, all without fainting and without a significant fear response.