Cognitive behavioral therapy and functional impairment in obsessive–Compulsive disorder

Abstract

Background: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions and has a lifetime prevalence of around 2%–3%. Increase in symptoms severity in OCD is associated with noticeable impairment in daily psychosocial functioning of the patient, that further add-on to the stress level of the individual and increases burden on the family and society. Therefore, effective and timely management is required. Literature favors cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention in managing symptoms severity in OCD. The present study attempts to look its role on functional impairment of such patients. Methods: Pre- and post-intervention with a control group design were made to conduct this study involving 20 patients with OCD. Patients were equally divided in two groups where one group was given intervention with CBT sessions for 10 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessment was done using Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) and dysfunctional analysis questionnaire (DAQ) and results were compared. Results: Obtained data indicate significant decrease in composite score on YBOCS and significant increase in composite and domain-wise scores for DAQ assessment at postintervention assessment, in the group which has been given intervention with CBT as compared to the other group. Conclusion: Finding reveals that CBT has an impact in improving the functional ability along with remission of primary obsessive–compulsive symptoms in patients with OCD.

Keywords

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• compulsions
• dysfunctional analysis questionnaire
• functional impairment
• obsessions
• obsessive–compulsive disorder