RESTRICTING ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION (REST) TO ENHANCE COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT FOR OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER WITH SCHIZOTYPAL PERSONALITY-DISORDER

Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) was used adjunctiv ely in an imaginal exposure plus response prevention treatment for a s ubject with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with comorbid Schizoty pal Personality Disorder. An audio loop tape was used as the eliciting stimuli during exposure to REST. Psychophysiological measures and sel f reports indicated a substantial reduction of arousal to fear-evoking stimuli, as well as a marked reduction in OCD symptoms. Additionally, imaginal ability and attention to the task appeared to improve in the REST versus non-REST condition in this data-based single case report. Restricted environmental stimulation may enhance the effectiveness of imaginal exposure in patients with treatment refractory OCD.