A Case Study of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Some Diagnostic Considerations

Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in the use of “third-wave” psychotherapies in treating psychiatric disorders. These newer therapies are fundamentally different from the existing techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy in terms of their guiding principles and processes of change. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is the most prominent among these “third wave” psychotherapies. However, there have not been any reports from India, thus far, that have studied the use of ACT in treating obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). We describe a case of OCD that was successfully treated with eight sessions of ACT, with the results being maintained over a one-month follow-up period. Postintervention tests revealed a significant decrease in obsessive–compulsive symptoms and an associated increase in psychological flexibility. This case study highlights the possible utility of ACT as a therapeutic intervention in OCD, especially when combined with pharmacotherapy.

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Schizophrenia with Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms: A Case Report

Journal of Psychiatrists Association of Nepal ◽

10.3126/jpan.v8i1.26340 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 66-67

Author(s):

A Jha ◽

D Joshi

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Poor Response ◽

Clinical Impact ◽

Anti Psychotic ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Co Morbidity

Obsessive-compulsive disorder/ symptoms may be co-morbid in schizophrenia. The clinical impact of this co-morbidity is poor response to anti-psychotic medications. We present a case of 35 yr old female who presented with symptoms suggestive of schizophrenia and later co-morbid obsessive symptom responded well to addition of fluoxetine to antipsychotics. This case study reveals that the identification and treatment of OCD in schizophrenia is very crucial for optimistic outcome.

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Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Study of a Veteran With Violent Intrusive Thoughts

Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1891/0889-8391.33.1.71 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 71-81

Author(s):

Veronica Siffert ◽

Colette Riahi ◽

Melinda A. Stanley ◽

Terri L. Fletcher

Keyword(s):

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Negative Emotion ◽

Response Prevention ◽

Exposure And Response Prevention ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Supportive Psychotherapy ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Patient Health ◽

Poor Treatment

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); however, few studies have evaluated the use of ERP with veterans. This case study describes ERP and medication treatment of a veteran who experienced violent sexual thoughts, countered by compulsions of focusing on the distressing thought to ensure a negative emotion or reversing the thought to a nonviolent thought or image. The veteran had previously received supportive psychotherapy and medication for depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties, with poor treatment adherence. Upon reengagement in treatment, the therapist provided ERP in 34 sessions over 14 months, with 15 sessions via video telehealth to home. The patient used the OCD Workbook as a resource throughout treatment. The patient developed a hierarchy of target obsessions and rituals with associated subjective units of distress; completed exposures, beginning with lower-level items; and wrote imaginal scripts. He also received zolpidem for insomnia and venlafaxine for anxiety and depression. His scores on the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire and Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale decreased significantly.

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EMDR in the Treatment of Adolescent Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Study

Journal of EMDR Practice and Research ◽

10.1891/1933-3196.12.4.242 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 242-254

Author(s):

Angela Cusimano

Keyword(s):

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Current Level ◽

Practice Setting ◽

Large Effect Size ◽

Obsessive Compulsive ◽

Compulsive Disorder ◽

Insight Into

Most of the empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been with individuals suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This case study reports on the successful treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a 13-year-old male using the standard three-pronged approach of EMDR in a private practice setting. The current protocol addressed the initial touchstone event, the current level of distress related to that event, as well as anticipation and planning for future feared events. The participant received 15 sessions of EMDR. At 90-day posttreatment follow-up, there was a substantial decrease in OCD symptoms (from moderate to subclinical) as measured by the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, indicating a large effect size (d = 0.81). The current study provides insight into treating OCD in adolescence and how using the three-pronged approach (past, present, and future) of EMDR can be an effective tool. Study limitations and suggestions for future clinical research are discussed.

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