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II. Clinical Aspects

Ben W. Feather, MD, PhD; John M. Rhoads, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1972;26(6):503-511.

Abstract
Psychodynamic behavior therapy makes use of two sets of theories generally believed mutually exclusive—psychoanalytic theory and behavior therapy. The application of psychoanalytic theory to behavior therapy is shown to be successful in treating certain phobias, obsessions, and compulsions. This therapy is based largely on the precept that phobias may be organized around drives and impulses as well as external stimuli. The phobias and their related obsessions and compulsions presented here are symptomatic of the patients' attempts to inhibit impulses that were unacceptable to them. It is suggested that the patients resolved their conflicts through gaining the ability to make differentiations between the reality of their actions and the fantasy of their impulses. The implications of this therapy in treating phobias, compulsions, and obsessions may provide valuable insight into its use in treating other behavior disorders.

Author Affiliations
Durham, NC

From the Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Dr. Feather is currently at Brown University and Butler Hospital, Providence, RI.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Feb 3, 1972.

Reprint requests to Butler Hospital, 333 Grotto Ave, Providence, RI 02906 (Dr. Feather).