Frank M. Dattilio
The use of imaginal exposure and fear reduction with unexpected aversive events: the case of the Frozen Man. 31 Summary: Imaginal exposure and other methods of fear reduction have been applied to various situations with great success. While the majority of these situations have involved relatively concrete circumstances (i.e., fear of heights, travelling, crowds), less is known about how to apply it to more abstract circumstances, such as cases in which the fear is connected to unexpected aversive events. The following article briefly addresses the literature on the topic of uncertainty, or unexpected aversive events, and offers a case example, using imaginal exposure and cognitive-behavioral techniques to reduce the fear of the unexpected aversive events following a startling experience. The subsequent discussion section addresses some of the unusual aspects of the case and outlines some suggestions for future direction in the area of unexpected aversive events. |
