Hospitalization of obsessive-compulsive patients: the "forgotten" factor in the behavior therapy literature.
The role of hospitalization in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive patients has been neglected to a great extent in the behavior therapy literature. For this reason existing therapeutic programs, as described and evaluated in the literature, are briefly reviewed with regard to the use of a hospital setting in the course of treatment. The advantages and limitations of both inpatient and outpatient treatment are discussed. Finally, a few guidelines are offered to decide which patients may require admission to an inpatient psychiatric setting.
Megens
J
J
Department of Behavior Therapy, University Psychiatric Center, Kortenberg, Belgium.
Vandereycken
W
W
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D012648:Self Care