Defense mechanism changes in successfully treated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
• Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of group behavior therapy on the defense mechanisms of patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• To assess changes in both adaptive and maladaptive defense mechanisms following a 7-week treatment period.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen patients with DSM-III-R diagnosed OCD participated in a 7-week group behavior therapy program.
• Participants completed the Defense Style Questionnaire, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• Following behavior therapy, patients showed statistically significant reductions in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores, indicating improvement in OCD symptoms.
• A significant increase in the utilization of more adaptive defense mechanisms was observed post-treatment.
• No significant changes were found in the use of maladaptive defense mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Brief behavioral interventions may effectively modify personality aspects, specifically defense mechanisms, in individuals with OCD, contrary to previous assumptions.
• Further research is warranted to determine the long-term stability and permanence of these observed changes in defense mechanisms.