Pre-morbid personality traits and responsiveness to flooding in obsessive-compulsive patients

Clinical and psychophysiological assessments were carried out before and after completion of flooding treatment in two groups of obsessive-compulsive patients, matched for age and duration of the illness but differing in pre-morbid obsessional personality traits.

Patients with such traits appear to demonstrate a specific autonomic sensitivity to flooding, probably related to either the reduction of anxiety after treatment or to certain qualities of the treatment itself. Significant changes after treatment regarding neutral stimuli and attitude ratings of untreated obsessional manifestations suggest a more global response to flooding in such patients.

Some suggestions for further research are presented.