Individualization: the categorical imperative of behavior therapy practice.

The fact that unadaptive neurotic anxiety response habits are learned makes it necessary for the stimulus antecedents to be accurately defined in every case in order to plan effective treatment. This requirement has been frequently neglected in recent years that have witnessed a growing tendency to apply common treatments to cases with common labels, e.g. agoraphobia. This paper argues for the desirability of accurate individual diagnosis, and illustrates its benefits in unique cases and also in respect of three common syndromes--agoraphobia, panic attacks and depression.