A single-case study is reported of an adult female exhibiting persever
ative behaviour on the ward, following anoxic brain damage subsequent
to an attempted suicide by hanging. Her behaviour consisted of excessi
ve requests to use the telephone, and was accompanied by a lack of ins
ight, impaired memory and blunted affect, with no evidence of anxiety
when prevented ti-om using the telephone. Treatment to reduce the pers
istent requests was given in two stages, and consisted of feedback, an
d feedback plus extinction. Results indicated a marked reduction in th
e perseverative behaviour, though it appeared that this did not genera
lize to the home environment following the woman's discharge from hosp
ital.