Ritual Prevention in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Neurosis

Abstract

Behaviouristic theories of obsessive-compulsive neurosis are reviewed and their relationship indicated to the introduction of ritual prevention as a form of treatment for this condition. Studies investigating aspects of ritual prevention are summarised. The treatment of six obsessive-compulsive patients in a psychiatric ward of a general hospital is described and the difficulties encountered outlined. The authors' impression was that the response of patients shown was more marked and immediate than with any other treatment apart from leucotomy.