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Published on: January 9, 2015
Family-Based Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Study
1Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA amanda.palo@bcm.edu.
Insights
Family-based cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP) effectively treats pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This approach addresses family dynamics, improving therapeutic outcomes for children with OCD.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Behavioral Therapy
- Family Systems
Background:
- Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) impacts 0.25%-3% of children, causing significant impairment.
- Untreated pediatric OCD can lead to severe distress for both the child and their family.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the leading treatment for pediatric OCD.
Abstract:
Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects approximately .25%-3% of children, and if left untreated, can cause significant impairment for the child and family. Cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for pediatric OCD. When using ERP with children and adolescents, it is essential to assess and target family factors in treatment in order to help the youth make therapeutic progress. The following case study illustrates the successful implementation of family-based ERP in a young female with contamination OCD. It further highlights strategies for targeting family accommodation and family conflict within the course of treatment.
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