Risk factors for delaying treatment seeking in obsessive-compulsive disorder

This chapter provides a practical guide to assessing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that is both informative to the inexperienced clinician and addresses questions raised by the experienced clinician. It will summarize the diagnostic criteria for OCD, including advice on making a differential diagnosis when presented with symptoms that are associated with other disorders; for example, differentiating OCD from psychosis, generalized anxiety disorder, or health anxiety. It will guide the reader through the process of conducting a thorough assessment of the patient’s presenting problems, including OCD and any comorbid problems. The chapter will offer guidance on how to engage the person with OCD and promote trust. There is clear guidance on risk assessment, differentiating between primary risk factors (which clinicians are typically very good at assessing), and secondary risk factors (which may easily be overlooked). Advice on structuring an assessment and on appropriate assessment tools is provided.

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The Association of Trait Mindfulness and Self-compassion with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms: Results from a Large Survey with Treatment-Seeking Adults

Cognitive Therapy and Research ◽

10.1007/s10608-019-10049-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 120-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tamara Leeuwerik ◽

Kate Cavanagh ◽

Clara Strauss

Keyword(s):

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Distress Tolerance ◽

Treatment Seeking ◽

Trait Mindfulness ◽

Obsessive Beliefs ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Anxiety Depression

Abstract Little is known about the role of mindfulness and self-compassion in obsessive-compulsive disorder. This cross-sectional study examined associations of mindfulness and self-compassion with obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and with the obsessive beliefs and low distress tolerance thought to maintain them. Samples of treatment-seeking adults (N = 1871) and non-treatment-seeking adults (N = 540) completed mindfulness, self-compassion, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, obsessive beliefs and distress tolerance questionnaires. Participants with clinically significant obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms reported lower trait mindfulness and self-compassion compared to participants with clinically significant anxiety/depression and to non-clinical controls. Among the clinical sample, there were medium-large associations between mindfulness and self-compassion and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, obsessive beliefs and distress tolerance. Mindfulness and self-compassion were unique predictors of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, controlling for depression severity. Once effects of obsessive beliefs and distress tolerance were controlled, a small effect remained for mindfulness (facets) on obsessing symptoms and for self-compassion on washing and checking symptoms. Directions for future research and clinical implications are considered in conclusion.

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