Clinical Versus Pharmacological Treatment

Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment for a variety of disorder diagnoses. Although pharmacological treatments are the most widely used method of treatment in anxiety disorders in America, research has found that even though patients respond sufficiently to medication treatment initially some are unable

While over 2.2 million Americans suffer from OCD the causes of this disorder are still not very well understood in the scientific

Two therapies that provide abetment for obsessive-compulsive disorders Psychodynamic Therapy and antidepressant drugs. Nevid (2015) cites on Psychodynamic Therapy, “Psychoanalysis, the form of psychotherapy Sigmund Freud developed, is based on the belief that unconscious conflicts originating in childhood give rise to psychological problems” (p. 526). Antidepressant drugs procure calmness in the body by increasing neurotransmitters, and serotonin levels decreased in the body. Nevid (2015) informs, “Antidepressants increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain” (p. 547). Drugs like Tofranil, Elavil, and Zoloft raise the brain levels of norepinephrine and serotonin (Nevid, 2015). Nevid furthers on this medication

After being diagnosed with OCD, all the authors either took medication, often an antidepressant, participated in therapy, or both.  Both Summers and Street at first dismissed the idea of taking drugs but later gave in (Summers 139+; Street 72+).  The therapy in most cases was quite similar.  The authors' therapists had them do things that were against their compulsions, such as only washing their hands once.  This therapy was used to show the patients that the things they thought would happen to them if they didn't complete their obsessions were just thoughts (Lanning 58+).  Many of the authors were not exactly thrilled about the therapy, but without it their

Studies have found that drugs such as clomipramine, fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine help between 50 and 80% of patients. The downfall to this type of treatment is that once the patient comes off of the medication the obsessions and compulsions return. This treatment only covers the symptoms of this disorder. Since there are downfalls to each treatment, cognitive, behavioral, and biological therapies are often used in combination. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can last for years or even be life long depending on how successful the treatment is.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) was once considered a rare disease, but today, it is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders present among society. OCD is described as “intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions), which increase anxiety, and by repetitive or ritualistic actions (compulsions), which decrease anxiety” (Stein, 2002). In the DSM-IV, Obsessive compulsive disorder can be diagnosed through observable behaviours or repetitive mental habits. Symptoms include; the constant washing of hands, and/or fears concerning danger to others or to self – resulting in frequent paranoia. OCD has been linked with lesions in various neurological circuits of the brain due to the consumption of dopamine agonists (for example, cocaine). In order for obsessive compulsive disorder to take clinical significance, dysfunction and distress must follow symptoms. The treatment of OCD was initially developed in the Freudian era, as psychoanalytical treatment was seen as the most effective treatment at the time for mind management. Conversely, recent empirical evidence proved otherwise. Pharmacological therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy, also known as systematic desensitization are nowadays the most prominent remedies used in treating obsessive compulsive disorder.

According to Diedrich, Sckopke, Schwartz, Schlegl, Osen, Stierle, & Voderholzer you are tested alone or in a group. This source discusses what OCD is and Exposure and response prevention (ERP); it is known to be one of the most effective treatment thus far. Obsessive compulsive disorder over time will cause suffering and weakening. OCD can have several symptoms. They could be symptoms such as harming oneself or possibly others, sexual, items placed a certain way, or even your feelings being a certain way. I wouldn’t use this source to write a paper. I found it difficult to understand. I don’t think there is enough information in this article.

Gordon and colleagues (1993), have conducted a double-blind crossover study using clomipramine, desipramine, and placebo. In their study, they found clomipramine to be superior to both desipramine and placebo in reducing repetitive behaviors, compulsive behaviors, and anger. Clomipramine and desipramine were equally effective in treating hyperactivity. Another study focused on PDDs adults by Brodkin et al. (1997) reported a positive clinical response in 55% of the subjects. According to the authors, the clinical improvements were seen in repetitive thoughts and behaviors, aggressive behaviors, as well as some improvement in social

As explained by Seibell in the article “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder”, (2015) it often takes many years before the correct treatment is obtained for an individual with OCD. Melvin seeks treatment as an adult because of his developing relationship Carol. In the movie he explains to Carol that he has sought treatment from a psychiatrist and is taking medication to help him with his

There are several different options of treatment for someone with OCD. Some of the options are drug

Treatment: psychotherapy, family therapy, creative therapy, clinical hypnosis, no medication specifically for this disorder but treat pre-existing disorder(s)

By using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) individuals are able to be diagnosed and treated for many anxiety disorders, one of which is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is an anxiety disorder associated with invasive thoughts, impulses and urges which can cause severe anxiety for an individual. These obsessive thoughts can then cause the individual to act compulsively to prevent the stress and anxiety that is occuring (American Psychological Association, 2013). According to CBT, OCD is caused by distorted cognitions and the way different thoughts are being interpreted (Whittal, Thordarson & McLean, 2005). Treatment for OCD includes various CBT techniques including Psychoeducation, creating symptom hierarchies and then combining it with the behavioural technique of Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). Both the aetiology and the treatment of the disorder have strengths and weaknesses.

Another study which proves the efficacy of ERP treatment is that of O’Connor and his colleagues. The objective of the study was to compare two forms of ERP treatment- in this case overt (behavioural) and covert (mental). The symptoms of the fifty recorded participants, thirty-seven of which completed the treatment were measured pre and post study. It was found that participants in both categories improved markedly, according to the YBOCS (Yale- Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale) which is the golden standard of measuring the severity of OCD sufferers (O'Connor et al., 2012) (Himle, and Franklin, 2009). However, as effective ERP is for OCD sufferers, it does have both its pitfalls some due to the practitioners methods, which will be addressed below.

Treatment for OCD is no different than any other anxiety disorder. The treatments consist of medication and behavioral therapy. The medication sometimes is not effective but another medication should be tried in the non-effective ones place. Some medications that are used to treat OCD are: clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine. Behavioral therapy is another effective treatment for OCD. Therapist use a method called “exposure and response prevention.” This method has proven useful in the treatment of OCD patients because the patient is voluntarily put in a situation that could possibly trigger and OCD attack,

Houghton, Saxon, Bradburn, Ricketts & Hardy (2010) aimed to compare the effectiveness of routinely delivered CBT for OCD with the outcomes achieved in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). A total of 39 participants were recruited and 28 completed the treatment. The results indicated that 37% of the participants showed clinically significant and reliable change. 13 RCTs were included in the systematic review and the results indicated that the CBT delivered in a clinical setting is equally beneficial to that delivered in clinical