The British Journal of Psychiatry 130: 592-597 (1977)
© 1977 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive neurosis with history of childhood autism
P Lindley, I Marks, R Philpott and J Snowden
A young man was followed-up over three years who had severe obsessive-
compulsive rituals and ruminations, interpersonal deficits, complicating
depression and a history of childhood autism. Intensive behavioural
treatment was given in an operant framework, with exposure in vivo,
modelling, response prevention and social skills training. Compulsive
rituals improved markedly and lastingly, but ruminations and social defects
persisted. When intercurrent depression occurred dothiepin facilitated
behavioural treatment. Adjustment remained fragile. Minimum maintenance
treatment in the community could not be adequately arranged, so that gains
made in hospital were partly lost at follow-up, despite continuing
improvement in rituals.