Skip to main content
Log in

Obsessive-compulsive neurosis: A cognitive-behavioral formulation and approach to treatment

  • Published:
Cognitive Therapy and Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

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 Unpublished doc??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.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, M. B.Emotion and personality (Vol. 1). New York: Columbia University Press, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayllon, T., Haughton, E., & Hughes, H. B. Interpretation of symptoms: Fact or fiction?Behaviour Research and Therapy 1965,3 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A.Principles of behavior modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. Cognitive therapy: Nature and relation to behavior therapy.Behavior Therapy 1970.1 184–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beech, H. R. (Ed.).Obsessional states. London: Methuen, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, N.Personality development and psychopathology: A dynamic approach. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. T. Compulsive neurosis: Two psychophysiological studies.Bulletin of the British Psychological Society 1971,24 256–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, A. T. Compulsive neurosis: A review of the literature.Psychological Bulletin 1974,81 311–318.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dollard, J., & Miller, N. E.Personality and psychotherapy: An analysis in terms of learning, thinking, and culture. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A.Reason and emotion in psychotherapy. New York: Lyle Stuart. 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Femchel, O.The psychoanalytic theory of neurosis. New York: Norton. 1945.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fransella, F. Thinking and the obsessional. In H. R. Beech (Ed.).Obsessional states. London: Methuen, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldfried, M. R., Decenteceo, E. T., & Weinberg, L. Systematic rational restructuring as a self-control technique.Behavior Therapy 1974,5 247–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. Covert modeling and the reduction of avoidance behavior.Journal of Abnormal Psychology 1973,81 87–95.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, G. A.The psychology of personal constructs (Vol. 1). New York: Norton, 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolb, L. C.Modern clinical psychiatry. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S. A laboratory approach to the dynamics of psychological stress.American Psychologist 1964,19 400–411.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S.Psychological stress and the coping process. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ledwidge, B. Cognitive behavior modification: A step in the wrong direction?Psychological Bulletin 1978,85 353–375.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mahoney, M. J.Cognition and behavior modification. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Ballinger. 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, V., Levy, R., & Schnurer, A. The behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders. In H. R. Beech (Ed.),Obsessional states. London: Methuen, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pervin, L. The need to predict and control under conditions of threat.Journal of Personality 1963,31 570–587.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rachman, S. Obsessional-Compulsive checking.Behaviour Research and Therapy 1976,14 264–277.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, C.Client-centered therapy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1951.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, M. A dual model of obsessional neurosis.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1975,43 453–459.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salter, A.Conditioned reflex therapy. New York: Capricorn, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, D.Neurotic styles. New York: Basic Books, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slade, P. D. Psychometric studies of obsessional illness and obsessional personality. In H. R. Beech (Ed.),Obsessional states. London: Methuen, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, J. A questionnaire study of risk-taking in psychiatric patients.British Journal of Medical Psychology 1972,45 365–374.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Teasdale, J. D. Learning models of obsessional-compulsive disorder. In H. R. Beech (Ed.).Obsessional states. London: Methuen. 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ullmann, I., & Krasner, I.A psychological approach to abnormal behavior. Englewood Cliffs. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, V. J. Explanations in obsessional neurosis.British Journal of Psychiatry 1973,123 675–680.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolpe, J.Psychotherapy and reciprocal inhibition. Stanford: Stanford University Press. 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yates, A.Behavior therapy. New York: Wiley. 1970.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01184447

Keywords

Navigation