Cognitive Therapy with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

BackgroundPeople with obsessive–compulsive disorders (OCD) are widely treated with a combination of medication and behavioural techniques. The success rate is 50–85%, but both relapse and drop-out rates appear high. The use of cognitive therapy (CT) for the treatment of OCD has been suggested. The empirical evidence supporting the use of CT for OCD is examined.MethodA manual and computer (Medline) literature search was performed.ResultsFifteen empirical studies were found: ten non-controlled, and five controlled.ConclusionsThere are few controlled CT studies, and these show little evidence of improvement when CT is added to existing therapeutic techniques.