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Deconditioning and Time-Therapy

Hortham Hospital, near Bristol

ABSTRACT

This treatment demonstrates that the signs of fear were reduced and abolished during repetitions of the fear-producing stimulus. This, of course, is a well-known principle of daily life, such as in learning to drive.

No relationship between interval between stimuli and the response to them was found.

Of 35 cases undergoing repeated stimuli, 16 improved in that their fear was reduced. No patient became worse. No psychotherapy, either analysis or hypno-therapy was used, but hypnotics were given at times. As patients when asleep have been omitted from this investigation, the administration of these preparations would not materially affect the results.

Cases are described of improvement over short and long periods of time, without treatment.

Consideration is given to the causes of improvement, the conclusion being reached that deconditioning to danger can produce improvement in the physical signs of fear.