Abstract
Drawing upon the literature from cognitive and behavioral formulations as wall as psychoanalytic theory, a cognitive behavioral model for conceptualizing and treating obsessive-compulsive neurosis is presented. The proposed model is contrasted with traditional psychoanalytic and behavioral conceptualizations. A variety of cognitive and behavioral treatment techniques are described that attempt to help clients modify their unrealistic cognitive appraisals of threat, test the validity of their fears, and realize resources more effective than symptoms for coping with uncertainty and anxiety.
Similar content being viewed by others
Reference Notes
Liddell, M. A.,?? investigation of psychological mechanisms in obsessional patients. Unpublished doc?? dissertation, University of London, 1974.
Wollersheim, J. P. Distinguishing features of cognitive-behavioral approac?? In J. P. Wollersheim (chair),Cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches: Psychopathy, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, and cardiac risk. Symposium presented at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver, April 1978.
References
Abramson, L. Y., & Sacheim, H. A. A paradox in depression: Uncontrollability and self-blame.Psychological Bulletin 1977,84 838–851.
Arnold, M. B.Emotion and personality (Vol. 1). New York: Columbia University Press, 1960.
Ayllon, T., Haughton, E., & Hughes, H. B. Interpretation of symptoms: Fact or fiction?Behaviour Research and Therapy 1965,3 1–7.
Bandura, A.Principles of behavior modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. 1969.
Beck, A. T. Cognitive therapy: Nature and relation to behavior therapy.Behavior Therapy 1970.1 184–200.
Beech, H. R. (Ed.).Obsessional states. London: Methuen, 1974.
Cameron, N.Personality development and psychopathology: A dynamic approach. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1963.
Carr, A. T. Compulsive neurosis: Two psychophysiological studies.Bulletin of the British Psychological Society 1971,24 256–257.
Carr, A. T. Compulsive neurosis: A review of the literature.Psychological Bulletin 1974,81 311–318.
Dollard, J., & Miller, N. E.Personality and psychotherapy: An analysis in terms of learning, thinking, and culture. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1950.
Ellis, A.Reason and emotion in psychotherapy. New York: Lyle Stuart. 1962.
Ellis, A. The basic clinical theory of rational-emotive therapy. In A. Ellis & R. Grieger (Eds.),Handbook of rational-emotive therapy. New York: Springer, 1977.
Femchel, O.The psychoanalytic theory of neurosis. New York: Norton. 1945.
Fransella, F. Thinking and the obsessional. In H. R. Beech (Ed.).Obsessional states. London: Methuen, 1974.
Geer, J. H., Davison, G. C., & Gatchel, R. I. Reduction of stress in humans through non-verdical perceived control of aversive stimulation.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1970,16 731–738.
Goldfried, M. R., Decenteceo, E. T., & Weinberg, L. Systematic rational restructuring as a self-control technique.Behavior Therapy 1974,5 247–254.
Kazdin, A. Covert modeling and the reduction of avoidance behavior.Journal of Abnormal Psychology 1973,81 87–95.
Kelly, G. A.The psychology of personal constructs (Vol. 1). New York: Norton, 1955.
Kolb, L. C.Modern clinical psychiatry. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1973.
Lazarus, R. S. A laboratory approach to the dynamics of psychological stress.American Psychologist 1964,19 400–411.
Lazarus, R. S.Psychological stress and the coping process. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1966.
Lazarus, R. S., Opton, E. M., Nomikos, M. S., & Rankin, M. O. The principle of short-circuiting of threat: Further evidence.Journal of Personality 1965,33 622–635.
Ledwidge, B. Cognitive behavior modification: A step in the wrong direction?Psychological Bulletin 1978,85 353–375.
Mahoney, M. J.Cognition and behavior modification. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Ballinger. 1974.
Marks, I. M. Behavioral treatments of phobic and obsessive-compulsive disorders: A critical appraisal. In M. Hersen, R. M. Eisler, & P. M. Miller (Eds.),Progress in behavior modification (Vol. 1). New York: Academic Press, 1975.
Meichenbaum, D. H., & Cameron, R. The clinical potential of modifying what clients say to themselves. In M. J. Mahoney & C. E. Thoresen (Eds.),Self-control: Power ?? the person. Monterey, California: Brooks/Cole, 1974.
Meyer, V., Levy, R., & Schnurer, A. The behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders. In H. R. Beech (Ed.),Obsessional states. London: Methuen, 1974.
Milner, A. D., Beech, H. R., & Walker, V. J. Decision processes and obsessional behaviour.British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 1971,10 88–89.
Nemiah, J. C. Obsessive-compulsive neurosis. In A. M. Freedman, H. I. Kaplan, & B. J. Sadock (Eds.),Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry/II (Vol. 1). Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1975.
Pervin, L. The need to predict and control under conditions of threat.Journal of Personality 1963,31 570–587.
Rachman, S. Obsessional-Compulsive checking.Behaviour Research and Therapy 1976,14 264–277.
Rogers, C.Client-centered therapy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1951.
Rosen, M. A dual model of obsessional neurosis.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1975,43 453–459.
Salter, A.Conditioned reflex therapy. New York: Capricorn, 1961.
Shapiro, D.Neurotic styles. New York: Basic Books, 1965.
Slade, P. D. Psychometric studies of obsessional illness and obsessional personality. In H. R. Beech (Ed.),Obsessional states. London: Methuen, 1974.
Stampfl, T. G. Implosive therapy: The theory, the subhuman analogue, the strategy and technique. I. The theory. In S. G. Armitage (Ed.),Behavior modification techniques in the treatment of emotional disorders. Battle Creek, Michigan: Veterans Administration. 1967.
Steiner, J. A questionnaire study of risk-taking in psychiatric patients.British Journal of Medical Psychology 1972,45 365–374.
Teasdale, J. D. Learning models of obsessional-compulsive disorder. In H. R. Beech (Ed.).Obsessional states. London: Methuen. 1974.
Ullmann, I., & Krasner, I.A psychological approach to abnormal behavior. Englewood Cliffs. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. 1975.
Volans, P. J. Styles of decision-making and probability appraisal in selected obsessional and phobia patients.British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 1976,15 305–317.
Walker, V. J. Explanations in obsessional neurosis.British Journal of Psychiatry 1973,123 675–680.
Wolpe, J.Psychotherapy and reciprocal inhibition. Stanford: Stanford University Press. 1958.
Yates, A.Behavior therapy. New York: Wiley. 1970.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McFall, M.E., Wollersheim, J.P. Obsessive-compulsive neurosis: A cognitive-behavioral formulation and approach to treatment. Cogn Ther Res 3, 333–348 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01184447
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01184447