title: Treatment of monozygotic twins with obsessive compulsive disorder using cognitive therapy and exposure with ritual prevention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Assessment and treatment of cohabiting monozygotic (MZ) twins with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a possible challenge for clinical psychologists.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to present a detailed history of two sets of cohabiting MZ twins with OCD, and describe the adaption of cognitive behavior therapy in their treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two sets of cohabiting MZ twins completed a structured intake and the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale as well as measures of depression, anxiety, a measure of obsessive beliefs, and thought action fusion. One set received cognitive behavior therapy and exposure with ritual prevention (ERP) simultaneously and the other received ERP separately. Pre-, post-treatment and follow-up assessments occurred for both sets of twins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All four individuals showed notable decreases in OCD, and results were maintained for three of the four participants at follow-up points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the developmental course of OCD that can occur in cohabiting twins, and the clinical adaption that may be necessary.
authors: Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA. michael.twohig@usu.edu
authors: Michael P
authors: MP
authors: Twohig
authors: Maureen L
authors: ML
authors: Whittal
authors: Katherine A
authors: KA
authors: Peterson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000523:psychology*