Behaviour therapies using conditioning principles have been successful in the treatment of some psychopatological eating behaviours. Such have been the cases for anorexia nervosae in adolescents and adults, refusal to eat in the young child and difficulties of swallowing. Some of these cases are described. Research has been done in different countries on the applications of these methods to the treatment of obesity caused by overeating which appears very frequently in our societies. Systematic and covert desensitization and operant conditioning using positive reinforcements are more frequently used in these behaviour modification procedures than aversive methods. More recently, researches on self-control (self-reward and self-punishment) have shown it as a very efficient tool for inducing weight loss. These methods using self-control have been applied to large populations: after a first, careful examination of the patient's eating behaviour, the program of reinforcement is established. It can be partially controlled by written instructions and letters. Results are already encouraging although they need to be followed up. But more research should be done on overeating behaviours, the way they appear and are maintained and on different programs of reinforcement for weight loss.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A note on conditional reflex studies of schizophrenia in France.

In France, beginning with 1946, the method of Ivanov-Smolenski was used to study schizophrenia, but after 1957, sensory conditioning procedures have been employed (EEG sound-light, evoked potentials in children, SAE conditioning in adults) and more recently eye blink and operant conditioning.

Conditioning, Classical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Behavior therapy of fear of flying in professional pilots].

The theorical frame proposed by behaviour principles seems to have an explanatory value in the genesis of some troubles of traumatic origin. This is the case for fear of flying which can appear suddenly in airline personnel following accidents, troubles or problems while flying and which could bring a definitive incapacity of flying. The use of behaviour therapy, like systematic desensibilisation, is then being considered. It is illustrated by examples taken from the literature and by two clinical cases.

Adult↗