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Case report: Behavioral treatment of clinical abulia

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Abstract

Overemphasis of only conditioning factors in behavior modification may narrow treatment applicability. A case of severe dysphoria and restriction in living, which had resisted conventional psychoand chemo-therapies, is presented. Successful treatment was accomplished by broad-spectrum methods combining social-influence, cognitive restructuring, and specific goal-setting with counter-conditioning procedures. A strategy for intervention in self-perpetuating vicious cycles is exemplified, and non-learning aspects of behavior modification techniques are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, UK

    Ted L. Rosenthal & Victor Meyer

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

    Ted L. Rosenthal

  3. Academic Department of Psychiatry, Middlesex Hospital, London, W.I, England

    Victor Meyer

Authors
  1. Ted L. Rosenthal
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  2. Victor Meyer
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Additional information

This research was supported by U.S.P.H. post-doctoral fellowship IF3MH-31, 385-01, at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London. The first author conducted treatment under the supervision of the second author, who made the follow-up contacts. We wish to express appreciation to Dr. Edward S. Chesser, who referred the patient for treatment and helped in other matters, and to the staff of the Academic Department of Psychiatry, Middlesex Hospital, for their cooperation in diverse ways.

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Rosenthal, T.L., Meyer, V. Case report: Behavioral treatment of clinical abulia. Conditional Reflex 6, 22–29 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03000263

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