Desensitization Therapy for Body Image Anxiety

Abstract

A newly devised therapy technique to desensitize individuals for body image anxiety arising from conversion symptoms and psychophysiologic disorders is outlined. One application involves the projective use of inkblots with high anatomical content which provide a source of visual input to stimulate somatic images in consciousness. When these are activated in a state of relaxation the anxiety content of the pathologic anatomical imagery is reduced. A case history involving desensitization treatment for a psychoneurotic patient's psychophysiologic symptom of premature ejaculation is cited. It is primarily designed to alert interested clinical investigators to this technical innovation in treatment.