In Vitro Flooding of an Adolescent's Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

In vitro flooding was used to treat a 14-year-old male patient's posttraumatic stress disorder. Four traumatic scenes were identified, and stimulus-response imagery cues were presented in a multiple-baseline regimen across traumatic scenes. The patient's progress throughout the series was monitored through ratings of subjective units of disturbance. The patient's level of anxiety, depression, assertion, and avoidance as well as his short-term memory and ability to concentrate were assessed 1 week prior to the series, immediately after the treatment series, and 4 months after the treatment was concluded. Although the in vitro flooding process had a positive influence on all the outcome measures, the efficacy of the treatment was especially evident on the anxiety indices.