Symptom presentation and outcome of cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Previous researchers have classified obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients by the themes of their obsessions and compulsions (e.g., washing, checking); however, mental compulsions have not been adequately assessed in these studies. The authors conducted 2 studies using a large sample of OCD patients (N=132). In the 1st study, they categorized patients on the basis of symptom presentation, giving adequate consideration to mental compulsions. Five patient clusters were identified: harming, contamination, hoarding, unacceptable thoughts, and symmetry. Mental compulsions were most prevalent among patients with intrusive, upsetting religious, violent, or sexual thoughts. In the 2nd study, they compared response to cognitive-behavioral therapy across symptom categories, finding poorer outcomes among patients with hoarding symptoms compared with those with other symptom themes.
Abramowitz
Jonathan S
JS
Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. abramowitz.jonathan@mayo.edu
Franklin
Martin E
ME
Schwartz
Stefanie A
SA
Furr
Jami M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome