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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment

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The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Psychiatry ((CCPSY))

Abstract

This chapter provides an outline of empirically supported psychosocial assessment and treatment strategies for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). To enhance the readers’ comprehensive understanding of OCD, this psychiatric condition is first defined and its classification within the DSM-5 is addressed. Next, we describe how to apply the cognitive-behavioral model to OCD, and importantly, how to perform a differential diagnosis using standardized assessment tools. Up-to-date research on the pathogenesis of OCD is then presented with special attention directed to the biological (abnormal brain circuitry) and psychosocial (interpretation biases) factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder. To guide the reader on the implementation of effective treatment strategies, the various components of cognitive (e.g., thought restructuring) and behavioral (e.g., exposure with response prevention) interventions are described, the essential tenets are applied in a case example, and the substantial empirical support for cognitive and behavioral interventions is reviewed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, OCD and Related Disorders Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Noah Chase Berman Ph.D. & Corinna M. Elliott Ph.D.

  2. OCD and Related Disorders Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Suite 2000, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Sabine Wilhelm Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Noah Chase Berman Ph.D.
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  2. Corinna M. Elliott Ph.D.
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  3. Sabine Wilhelm Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Noah Chase Berman Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Timothy J. Petersen

  2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Susan E. Sprich

  3. Simches Research Building, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Sabine Wilhelm

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Berman, N.C., Elliott, C.M., Wilhelm, S. (2016). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment. In: Petersen, T., E. Sprich, S., Wilhelm, S. (eds) The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Current Clinical Psychiatry. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2605-3_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2605-3_8

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2604-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2605-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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