Phobia to contract lymphedema: Clinical case

Abstract

Introduction: Clinical case study of a woman who has been operated on breast cancer and lymphadenectomy who was referred by her oncologist in 2009, given because she didn’t move her arm for fear of acquire lymphedema. Purposes: 1. Psychoeducation about lymphedema and how to look after the arm. 2. Overcoming fear of moving the arm. 3. Improving the patient’s quality of life. Method: Designing an exposure therapy in which the patient has to cope with situations that arouse great anxiety and fear. These situations are related to common activities in the patient’s daily life and has been rated in a list of increasing level of anxiety: Eating, getting dressed, housework, personal hygiene and physical exercise. The patient kept a record book with the exposure tasks that she confronted. Results: The patient overcame all her fears for lymphedema, leading a completely normal life and learning about the measures and cares to take for lymphedema prevention. Conclusions: Exposure is the most appropriate treatment option for phobic disorders in patients who suffer cancer