THE ORGANIC BACKGROUND OF OBSESSIONS AND COMPULSIONS

Paul SchilderAuthors Info & Affiliations

Publication: American Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 94, Number 6

https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.94.6.1397

Get Access

Abstract

1. Seven cases of obsession neurosis are presented in which definite organic signs were disclosed by neurological examination. These signs remind of symptoms observed in epidemic encephalitis. However, it is not probable that one deals in these cases with mild encephalitis, of the epidemic type. They may be due to constitutional factors and to early traumatic toxic and infectious processes.

2. In two cases, the type of motility and activity hinted to similar organic factors. In other cases, the psychic symptomatology pointed to an underlying motor impulse disturbance.

3. Compulsion neurosis cases of this type show a particular relation to numbers and counting. There is the tendency to iteration and compulsions based upon it. The attitude towards space is changed. The motor drives are in close relation to sadistic attitudes.

4. Similar disturbances and a similar psychic symptomatology are present in the obsessions and compulsions observed in post encephalitic cases in which the organic change in the motor impulses is obvious.

5. Organic factors influencing the state of consciousness may have an influence in some obsession neurotic cases.

6. Psychotherapy has to consider the importance of the motor factors in compulsions and their relations to sadistic attitudes. They have to be appreciated in connection with the libidinous situation. In the majority of the cases treated, good results were obtained.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Get Access

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

American Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 94 • Number 6 • May 1938

Pages: 1397 - 1416

History

Published in print: May 1938

Published online: 1 April 2006

Authors

Affiliations

Paul Schilder

View all articles by this author

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format	RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks
Direct importt
Citation style
Style

Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Purchase Options

Purchase this article to access the full text.

PPV Articles - American Journal of Psychiatry

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR^® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

THE ORGANIC BACKGROUND OF OBSESSIONS AND COMPULSIONS

Abstract

Get full access to this article