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A Behavioural Treatment of Blepharospasm: Two Case Reports

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Richard Fielding  and
Rachel Gunary
Richard Fielding
Affiliation:
Senior Clinical Psychologist, Bolton General Hospital, Minerva Road, Farnworth, Bolton
Rachel Gunary
Affiliation:
Probationer Clinical Psychologist, M.Sc. Clinical Psychology Course, University of Manchester
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Extract

Blepharospasm is a distressing condition, characterized by a repetitive and spasmodic closing of the eyes, and/or an inability to open the eyes after blinking. The aetiology of the disorder remains obscure. The available literature tends towards viewing the condition as arising from or associated with neuropathological processes. Two cases of blepharospasm are presented here. Both were managed along purely behavioural lines, using massed practice and relaxation techniques. The results obtained strongly suggest a learning model, rather than a neuropathological model may best explain the condition. Possible mechanisms for the development and maintenance of blepharospasm are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , April 1982 , pp. 184 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1982

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References

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