Enhancing Exposure and Response Prevention Treatment in an Individual With Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a significant cause of global disability, characterized by obsessions and compulsions often grouped into dimensions.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), is a primary treatment for OCD.
• While ERP is effective, some patients, especially those with relationship-themed OCD, may not achieve full remission, necessitating treatment adaptations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case report of an adult with OCD featuring relationship-related themes.
• To highlight specific adaptations made to ERP to enhance treatment efficacy for this patient population.

Main Methods:

• The study involved a case report of an adult diagnosed with OCD.
• The treatment approach focused on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP).
• Specific modifications to the standard ERP protocol were implemented to address relationship-themed obsessions and compulsions.

Main Results:

• The case report details the challenges encountered in treating relationship-themed OCD with standard ERP.
• The implemented ERP adaptations were shown to be beneficial in improving the patient's treatment course.
• This suggests that tailored ERP interventions can be effective for specific OCD symptom dimensions.

Conclusions:

• Relationship-themed OCD presents unique challenges for standard ERP treatment.
• Adaptations to ERP protocols can improve treatment outcomes for individuals with specific OCD dimensions.
• Further research into tailored ERP interventions for diverse OCD presentations is warranted.