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01-06-2019 | Original Paper

Successful Treatment of Halitophobia with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Case Study

Authors: Jihed Mrizak, Uta Ouali, Amal Arous, Lamia Jouini, Rania Zaouche, Aroua Rebaï, Haifa Zalila

Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Halitophobia is a condition characterized by an excessive preoccupation with the belief of having halitosis. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) was successfully used to treat a man in his 20 s who presented with important anxiety, avoidance and safety behaviours, isolation, and depressed mood. Progressive in-vivo exposure to fearful situations with the systematic prevention of avoidance and safety behaviours resulted in a significant improvement in the patient’s anxiety and depression levels. This case suggests that CBT techniques, usually performed in anxiety disorders and in obsessive–compulsive disorder, can be adapted to halitophobia.

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Title: Successful Treatment of Halitophobia with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Case Study
Authors: Jihed Mrizak
Uta Ouali
Amal Arous
Lamia Jouini
Rania Zaouche
Aroua Rebaï
Haifa Zalila
Publication date: 01-06-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0022-0116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-018-9398-7

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Successful Treatment of Halitophobia with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: A Case Study

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