Impaired self-awareness can be a serious consequence of traumatic brain inj
ury (TBI) and has been associated with poor therapeutic compliance and poor
functional recovery. Traditional rehabilitation approaches which make use
of direct feedback and education are often ineffective because they elicit
more elaborated and entrenched confabulatory beliefs as individuals are for
ced to defend their position. Empirical case data is presented from a woman
with profound anosognosia following a TBI with right frontal involvement.
Targeted behaviors were decreased through behavioral interventions, bur the
emphasis of treatment was on the formation of trusting, nonconfrontational
therapeutic relationships. Marked reductions in inappropriate behaviors we
re achieved along with a return to supportive community living. (C) 2000 Ac
ademic Press.