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The principles of R-S learning were applied to a 32-yr.-old Caucasian woman to reduce the frequency and duration of fingernail-biting activity in a reversal-replication (ABAB) research design. The undesirable behavior, fingernail-biting which included frequency and duration, antecedents, and setting events, was recorded during a 28-day study. Self-monitoring recordings indicated that anxiety was the most prevalent antecedent. Through the use of a preliminary questionnaire and interview, increase in self-awareness was judged to be most effective in the extinction of the undesired behavior. The systematic desensitization techniques of deep muscle relaxation and Transcendental Meditation were used during the treatment phase.

Anxiety affects approximately 30 million Americans at some point in their lives. The most common treatment modalities used to treat the continuum are the administration of psychotropic medications and the application of behavioral therapy. The following case details an adult female who suffered from severe panic attacks for a period of 10 years wherein numerous interventions, including psychotropic medications, had failed to ameliorate her suffering. The patient was treated using the Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic protocol. Prior to treatment, the patient reported that she experienced an average of seven panic attacks per week, her Beck Anxiety Inventory score was 58, and her Beck Depression Inventory was 23. At the completion of treatment, the patient reported that the number of panic attacks was reduced to one per week. At 4-week, 6-week, and 16-week follow-up, the patient had not experienced any panic attacks.

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