CORRECTION OF INFLATED RESPONSIBILITY IN THE TREATMENT OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

This study evaluates the efficacy of a cognitive treatment for obsessi ve-compulsive disorder (OCD). Four patients with OCD whose major compl aints were checking rituals were treated in a multiple baseline across subjects design. Cognitive correction targeted inflated responsibilit y, without any exposure or response prevention. All subjects reported a clinically significant decrease in interference caused by rituals, a 52-100% reduction in Y-BOCS scores, and a decrease in perceived respo nsibility. therapeutic gains were maintained at follow-up (6 and 12 mo nths) for three patients. Results suggest that cognitive therapy targe ting inflated responsibility is a promising alternative to exposure-ba sed treatment. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd