[Behavioral Group Therapy for Patients with OCD and Family Members]

Behavioral group therapy program is presented of patients with OCD and the involvement of their significant others. First experiences of evaluation are reported.

20 patients (10 women, 10 men) diagnosed with OCD were treated in a 16-session behavioral group therapy which included the involvement of 17 family members in selected sessions. The behavioral group therapy program involved cognitive restructuring, behavior exposure to anxiety-evoking stimuli and the discussion about the family system. Y-BOCS and a self-rating scale for the assessment of treatment benefit were used as outcome measures.

In this study, Y-BOCS scores reduced from a mean of 24 before therapy to 19,8 after therapy. Patients and their significant others agreed on the general benefit from the group therapy and the level of understanding of individual problems. Family members in particular appreciated that they had learned more about coping strategies regarding OCD-symptoms.The majority of patients and their significant others would recommend behavioral group therapy to other affected people.

Behavioral group therapy can be effective in reducing OCD-symptoms. Inclusion of family members in behavioral group therapy may be advantageous, because they can assist the patients during their treatment. This form of treatment may become an attractive and cost-effective alternative to conventional group settings.