Systematic Desensitization for Treating Specific Phobia of Earthworms: An In Vivo Exposure Study

Systematic desensitization was used to overcome the earthworm phobia of a 20-yearold female who is a college student majoring in Linguistics.This treatment is important because she will conduct a Real Work Lecture (K2N) related to plantation activities.Her earthworm phobia is considered to interfere with her K2N activities.Systematic desensitization, a behavioral treatment with in vivo exposure technique, was selected to overcome the client's phobia.Treatment was conducted in six individual sessions within 10 days.A progressive relaxation technique was also performed at the beginning of each treatment session to provide a relaxing effect on the client before the treatment.Results were measured using the Scale of Subjective Units of Discomfort (SUDS).The SUDS score significantly decreased from 95 prior to the treatment to 30 after the treatment.The SUDS form was given to the client at the end of each session to determine changes in the scale after the treatment.Follow up was qualitatively conducted by interviewing the client 1 year after the implementation of the treatment.Follow up was qualitatively conducted by interviewing the client 1 year after the implementation of the treatment, and the client reported that she is still able to control her fear when she faces earthworms.