Modification of perseverative behaviour in an adult with anoxic brain damage

A single-case study is reported of an adult female exhibiting perseverative behaviour on the ward, following anoxic brain damage subsequent to an attempted suicide by hanging. Her behaviour consisted of excessive requests to use the telephone, and was accompanied by a lack of insight, impaired memory and blunted affect, with no evidence of anxiety when prevented from using the telephone. Treatment to reduce the persistent requests was given in two stages, and consisted of feedback, and feedback plus extinction. Results indicated a marked reduction in the perseverative behaviour, though it appeared that this did not generalize to the home environment following the woman's discharge from hospital.