VIDEO DOCUMENTATION AT HOME IN THE THERAP Y OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

This paper describes, on the basis of an individual case, the use of s elf-operated video recording as a structuring form of increased self-s upervision in the outpatient treatment of a patient suffering from obs essive compulsive disorder. Since exposure in vivo is a time-consuming and costly element of outpatient practice, video films can help to ma ke home visits unnecessary or at least reduce them considerably. When this method is used as part of a multimodal behavior therapy, time can be gained to treat other problems, which may lead to more improvement in thw quality of life for the patient and increased job satisfaction for the therapist. Possible efficacy mechanisms of the method are dis cussed with reference to different social-psychological theories, and modifications in provedure are also considered.