An Atypical and Resistant Case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Responding Satisfactorily with an Unusual way of Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy

Abstract

It is well established fact that a combination of pharmacological therapy plus cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) - exposure and response prevention (ERP) is considered first line for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This case presented here supports this point in unusual way of ERP administration in an atypical and resistant case of OCD proved to be beneficial over pharmacotherapy. The case was atypical in the sense that it had many overvalued ideas, superstitions and religious beliefs playing major role in its aetiology. Also, misconstruction of chance associations, intense stimulus generalization and invivo exposure proving the best modality of treatment made it atypical.

Keywords

• cognitive behaviour therapy
• invivo exposure
• overvalued ideas
• religious-cultural beliefs and superstitions
• treatment resistance