Behavioral Treatment of Childhood Neurosis

Abstract

The present study attempted to use behavioral treatment to eliminate the neurotic symptoms of a 5-year-old child. The child's symptoms were assessed on a pre- and post-treatment basis, and in addition, on going observations of the child's symptoms allowed daily evaluation of the treatment program. Behavior therapy focused on altering the current symptom-environment relationships experienced by the child. Follow-ups on the resolution of the child's problems were conducted two months and two years after behavior therapy and indicated that the child was systom free. Therapeutic attempts to resolve the historical conflicts of early childhood and to resolve the contemporary corflicts of current social interaction are discussed as viable but not mutually exclusive therapeutic strategies.