ABSTRACT
Quantitative review of the controlled treatment outcome literature for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) showed that exposure with response prevention was highly effective in reducing OCD symptoms. Serotonergic medication, particularly clomipramine, also substantially reduced OCD symptoms. OCD involves intrusive and unwanted thoughts, ideas, or images that lead to increased anxiety; and repetitious, intentional rituals performed to neutralize the anxiety. Until a decade ago, OCD was thought to be a rare condition with a poor prognosis. Current OCD treatment manuals describe an ERP procedure that includes both daily sessions of deliberate exposure to anxiety-provoking situations lasting until significant habituation occurs, and strict abstinence from performing rituals.
