BEHAVIORAL-ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANNING WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER - A REVIEW EMPHASIZING CLINICAL-APPLICATION

This paper provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art in beh avioral assessment and treatment planning for obsessive compulsive dis order (OCD). New developments in assessment include the availability o f the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Symptom Checklist for detailed interviewing regarding multiple types of obsessions and compu lsions and the self-report Padua Inventory. Cognitive features and per sonality traits specific to OCD are being examined with increasing fre quency. Behavioral treatment methods continue to rely on the highly su ccessful combination of exposure to feared situations and prevention o f avoidance and compulsions, with or without serotonergic medications. Several variants of these methods are discussed, including group beha vioral treatment and involvement of family members. Cognitive treatmen ts have been increasingly studied with recent positive outcomes report ed using this method. It seems likely that efforts to improve treatmen t efficacy will include assessment that is continued throughout treatm ent, and focus on personality and associated cognitive features and on interventions involving family members.