MODIFICATION OF PERSEVERATIVE BEHAVIOR IN AN ADULT WITH ANOXIC BRAIN-DAMAGE

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.