CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION AND TREATMENT OF ATYPICAL SYMPTOMATOLOGY OF OCD USING COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY

Abstract

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by obsessional thinking, compulsive behavior and varying degrees of anxiety and depression. The course of OCD can be episodic or chronic with latter being considered as treatment resistant and high levels of dependency on mental health services. This case study describes the process of CBT in the long-term outpatient care of a young man with OCD. The client came with the chief complaints of repeated thoughts of losing home registry and checking behaviors to reduce the anxiety associated with these thoughts, with total duration of 22 years. Problems in social functioning and performance in work were encountered by the patient but still leading a compromised quality of life. Objective assessment tools (Y-BOCS & BDI) were used to asses' severity of symptoms (anxiety and depression). A total number of 15 sessions were conducted once a week, each lasting 60-80 minutes. Results indicate considerable improvement in all outcome variables and maintenance of treatment gains. These findings provide evidence in support of potential usefulness of cognitive-behavioral interventions in the treatment of OCD.