Case study: successful medication withdrawal using cognitive-behavioral therapy for a preadolescent with OCD.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the addition of manual-based cognitive-behavioral therapy to a medication regimen of clomipramine and fluoxetine and the withdrawal of medication during cognitive-behavioral therapy. The participant was an 11-year-old girl with symptoms of obsessive thoughts about germs and illness and handwashing compulsions. The addition of cognitive-behavioral therapy reduced the participant's daily number of obsessions and avoidance behaviors after three sessions. When medication was tapered during the cognitive-behavioral therapy program, the participant's symptoms continued to decline, and after treatment, she no longer met diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Impressively, the participant remained medication free and treatment gains were maintained at 4 months' follow-up.
Sallinen
Bethany J
BJ
Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono, 04469-5742, USA. bethany.sallinen@umit.maine.edu
Nangle
Douglas W
DW
O'Grady
April C
AC
D002648:Child; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002997:Clomipramine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors