Abstract: A method for processing a black-and-white photosensitive material comprising the steps of:(a) exposing a silver halide photosensitive material having been spectrally sensitized with a sensitizing dye;(b) developing the exposed material;(c) fixing the developed material; and(d) thereafter at least one step selected from washing the material and stabilizing the material;at least one of the fixing, washing and stabilizing steps being performed in the presence of at least one compound represented by formula (I) or (II) or a salt thereof; ##STR1## wherein A represents an atomic group necessary for forming a saturated or unsaturated 3-membered to 8-membered ring comprising at least one hetero atom selected from an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom and a selenium atom; and M represents a hydrogen atom or a counter cation; andX--(R.sub.1 --S).sub.n --R.sub.2 --S--R.sub.3 --Y (II)wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which may be the same or different, each represents an alkylene group; R.sub.1 and R.sub.