scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on obsessive compulsive disorder: a single case study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S120-S121
Author(s):  
Josephine Sibanda-Mbanga ◽  
Anusha Govender
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveA growing body of research evidence shows that individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic including deterioration of OCD symptoms plus relapse from previously well-controlled OCD. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is discussed in a single case study of a patient with OCD consisting of contamination concerns. In addition, the effectiveness of providing Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) virtually is evaluated with regards to the treatment outcome in COVID-19 related OCD.Case reportThis study describes a 41-year-old, single, employed female with OCD consisting of concerns of contamination and infecting others thereby causing harm. The total duration of the disorder is 32 years with the most recent presentation being of three years duration. Relapse during the pandemic resulted in OCD symptoms being solely concerned with COVID-related contamination. The questionnaires routinely completed at the time of assessment and treatment were the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (OCI); Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Clinical data were collated and analysed prior to and during the pandemic. Treatment consisted of ERP and was adapted for provision via a virtual platform. ERP involved exposure to a graded hierarchy of COVID-specific anxiety-provoking situations modified to take government guidelines into consideration.DiscussionPrior to the COVID-19 pandemic the patient's response to treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) including ERP indicated a 79% improvement in OCD symptoms on self -rated measures. The impact of the pandemic led to a significant 65% deterioration in OCD symptoms, regarding COVID-19 contamination concerns. Intervention with ERP resulted in 73% improvement over a three-month period. Measures of depression symptoms indicated an 80% improvement pre-COVID, with a 78% deterioration at relapse. Following treatment, the patient also showed a 65% improvement in depression symptoms. Improvements have been maintained at one month follow-up.ConclusionThe case study supports literature indicating the exacerbation of OCD symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with contamination fears and washing compulsions. The promising results support the use of ERP as an effective treatment for COVID-related OCD symptoms. It also validates the provision of CBT interventions virtually to ensure accessibility of treatment to OCD sufferers.

Personalised 360o video exposure therapy for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A single case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Nabil Benzina ◽  
Margot Morgiève ◽  
Marine Euvrard ◽  
João Flores Alves Dos Santos ◽  
Antoine Pelissolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Specific Processes in the Psychotherapeutic Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Single Case Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-327
Author(s):  
Claire Heather Boynton Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Clinical Change ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

This single case study describes acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) used with a client presenting with symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Standardized and idiographic outcome measures, including OCD-specific measures (Brief Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; Obsessional Compulsive Inventory), general measures of well-being and risk (CORE Outcome Measure; Outcome Rating Scale), an idiographic measure (Easy Personal Questionnaire), and a Sessional Rating Scale, were used across baseline and treatment phases. Statistical measures of reliable and clinical change were calculated, and client perspective on change was sought through interview. Cause–effect analysis was used to evaluate the extent to which therapeutic change was due to ACT-specific processes. Results showed reliable positive change with a probability of p < .05 across measures, and clinical change in three of five of the measures in which it could be calculated. The client reported improvements in well-being and the extent to which she lives her life according to her values. ACT-specific processes as well as generic therapy processes influenced change. The client’s own strengths and personal contributions to therapy played a major role in her achievement of therapeutic goals. The use of ACT with ERP in treating OCD and collaborative use of outcome measures with careful evaluation are recommended to clinicians.

When the Problem is Beneath the Surface in OCD: The Cognitive Treatment of a Case of Pure Mental Contamination

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Warnock-Parkes ◽  
Paul M. Salkovskis ◽  
Jack Rachman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Therapy ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Mental Contamination ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
History Of

Background: Mental contamination is a phenomenon whereby people experience feelings of contamination from a non-physical contaminant. Rachman (2006) proposes that standard cognitive behavioural treatments (CBT) need to be adapted here and there is a developing empirical grounding supporting the concept, although suggestions on adapting treatment have yet to be tested. Method: A single case study is presented of a man with a 20-year history of severe treatment resistant Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) characterized by mental contamination following the experience of “betrayal”. He was offered two consecutive treatments: standard CBT and then (following disengagement with this) a cognitive therapy variant adapted for mental contamination. Clinician and patient rated OCD severity was measured at baseline and the start and end of both interventions. Results: Six sessions of high quality CBT were initially attended before refusal to engage with further sessions. There were no changes in OCD severity ratings across these sessions. A second course of cognitive therapy adapted for mental contamination was then offered and all 14 sessions and follow-ups were attended. OCD severity fell from the severe to non-clinical range across these sessions. Conclusions: The need to consider adapting standard treatments for mental contamination is suggested. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Impact of brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and response to escitalopram or paroxetine in obsessive–compulsive disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ghina Harika-Germaneau ◽  
Nicolas Langbour ◽  
Sylvie Patri ◽  
Marcello Solinas ◽  
Armand Chatard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Val66met Polymorphism ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Dimension ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by its heterogeneous nature and by different dimensions of obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are used to treat OCD, but up to 40% to 60% of patients do not show a significant improvement with these medications. In this study, we aimed to test the impact of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism on the efficacy of antidepressants in OCD overall, and in relation to the different OC dimensions. Methods In a 6-month prospective treatment study, 69 Caucasian OCD patients were treated with escitalopram for 24 weeks or with escitalopram for 12 weeks followed by paroxetine for an additional 12-week period. Patients were genotyped and assessed for treatment response. The main clinical outcomes were improvement of the Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale score and in different OC symptom dimension scores. Results The Val/Val group comprised 43 (62%) patients, the Val/Met and Met/Met group comprised 26 (38%) patients. Forty-two patients were classified as responders at 12 weeks and 38 at 24 weeks; no significant association was found between BDNF Val66Met and SRIs response at 12 and 24 weeks. In analyses of the different OC symptom dimensions, the Met allele was associated with a slightly reduced score in the aggressive/checking dimension at 6 months (P = .048). Conclusions Our findings do not support the usefulness of BDNF Val66Met genotyping to predict overall response to treatment with SRIs in OCD; they did however suggest a better outcome at 6 months for the aggressive/checking symptom dimension for patients carrying the Met allele.

scholarly journals Data on the impact of SSRIs and depression symptoms on the neural activities in obsessive–compulsive disorder at rest

Data in Brief ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 324-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunhui Chen ◽  
Michal Juhas ◽  
Andrew J Greenshaw ◽  
Qiang Hu ◽  
Xin Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Neural Activities ◽  
The Impact

The impact of intensive treatment for pediatric anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder on daily functioning

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Sperling ◽  
Kathryn Boger ◽  
Mona Potter
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Child Anxiety ◽  
Intensive Treatment ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Outpatient Group ◽  
The Impact

This study investigated whether intensive group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with family involvement for children with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) would facilitate children’s return to their daily routines. The focus shifted from the usual emphasis on remission to an improvement in functioning. The aim was to capture potentially missed gains when children pursue their fears and engage in more adaptive behaviors as these efforts may result in ongoing symptoms. Two hundred twelve children and adolescents aged 8–19 years old, who were patients in an intensive outpatient group-based treatment program at an academic hospital, participated in this study. Results indicated that both children and their parents endorsed significant improvement in children’s functioning from admission to discharge. Symptom reduction was assessed for reference, and both children and parents reported significant decreases in child anxiety symptoms from admission to discharge, and children endorsed decreases in their comorbid depression symptoms. Short-term group-based intensive treatment in a clinical setting may help children return to their daily activities quickly.

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