Beyond exposure therapy: formulation-based therapy treating a fear of urinary incontinence - a case study

Behav Cogn Psychother. 2022 Mar;50(2):252-256. doi: 10.1017/S1352465821000333. Epub 2021 Aug 31.

Abstract

Background: The current literature on the specific phobia of urinary incontinence is limited, with no specific empirically established model or treatment protocol.

Aims: This article consists of a case study of formulation-driven cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for phobia of urinary incontinence.

Method: Martin attended a total of 12 treatment sessions. The treatment included the development of an idiosyncratic formulation, and the use of well-established cognitive and behavioural treatment strategies from other anxiety disorders.

Results: Both outcome measures and Martin's subjective report indicate that the treatment was effective.

Conclusion: This case study contributes to the current limited literature on this phobia, and emphasises the importance of formulation-driven CBT to map for idiosyncratic features and target cognitive and behavioural factors.

Keywords: CBT; behavioural experiments; empirically grounded interventions; urinary incontinence.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Fear
  • Humans
  • Implosive Therapy*
  • Phobic Disorders* / therapy
  • Urinary Incontinence*