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Management of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
1Institute of Psychiatry, London.
British Journal of Hospital Medicine
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves distressing rituals and avoidance. Behavioral psychotherapy, specifically exposure and response prevention, is the primary treatment for this anxiety disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating anxiety disorder.
- Characterized by intrusive thoughts leading to compulsive rituals like excessive washing and checking.
- Phobic avoidance is also a common symptom in individuals with OCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the established treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- To emphasize the efficacy of behavioral psychotherapy in managing OCD symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Review of established treatment protocols for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Focus on behavioral psychotherapy techniques.
Main Results:
- Behavioral psychotherapy, particularly exposure and response prevention, is identified as the treatment of choice.
- This therapeutic approach directly addresses the compulsive rituals and avoidance behaviors central to OCD.
Conclusions:
- Exposure and response prevention is the gold standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Behavioral psychotherapy offers an effective strategy for managing OCD and improving patient outcomes.