Invited case transcript. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a behavioral case formulation

The interviewing skills of many behavior therapists are inadequate and several possible reasons are discussed. The present manuscript focuses on construction of initial clinical hypotheses. A strategy for developing and testing initial hypotheses is presented and illustrated by transcripts from a complex case. The transcript is taken from the initial interviews with a 26 year old woman presenting the problems of emotional distress related to thoughts of harming others, and anxiety concerning her difficulty in controlling physical aggression. A behavioral analysis of the origins and maintaining factors indicated that while the patient's compulsions were a vehicle to manage anxiety, the wellspring of her attempts to exert control over her thoughts was a fear of anger, loss of control, negative evaluation, criticism, and rejection. Distal and proximal predisposing events were examined in order to help explain the development of this maladaptive behavioral pattern, and to plan therapeutic strategy.