Mood changes and flooding outcome in obsessive-compulsive patients. Report of a 2-year follow-up

Twenty-five chronic obsessive-compulsive patients treated with flooding were investiaged retrospectively after 2 years by an independent assessor for the presence of depressive mood fluctuations during their life histories using a five-point rating scale. Patients themselves also completed rating scales for obsessional phenomena during the pre-, post-treatment, and follow-up assessment. Fifteen patients were characterized as not having exhibited mood changes and 10 as having such changes. Patients without changes responded promptly to flooding treatment and showed further improvement during follow-up. Patients with mood changes, although responding well to initially delivered flooding sessions, showed significant relapse at follow-up.