realized that her fear of causing her husband to die in a plane
crash just by thinking about it was unrealistic (although she
tried to prevent such thoughts, just to be on the safe side), yet
she was strongly convinced that she would develop AIDS if
she did not shower after using a public washroom. It is important
to ascertain patients' degree of insight because this can
affect treatment outcome, as I review further below.
The lifetime prevalence rate of OCD in adults is 2% to 3% (3),
Although symptoms typically wax and wane as a function of
general life stress, a chronic and deteriorating course is the
norm if adequate treatment is not sought. In many cases, fears,
avoidance, and rituals impair various areas of functioning,
including job or academic performance, social functioning,
and leisure activities. Many individuals with OCD also experience
other Axis I disorders, such as mood and anxiety problems
(4), This article provides an overview of the
development of effective psychological treatments for OCD,
together with a review of the latest treatment-outcome
research, CBT is the most effective form of treatment for
OCD, Therefore, I focus on this intervention.