Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 January 2018
Behaviour therapy, namely exposure and response prevention, has for many years been the treatment of choice for most patients with obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD). However, at least 25% of patients with OCD refuse exposure and response prevention or drop-out early. Of those who do comply, about 75% make reasonable gains and maintain them in the long-term. This means that 50% of patients who are offered treatment by exposure and response prevention either refuse, drop-out or show little improvement. Many patients find exposure distressing and this is probably the main reason for dropping-out early. Treatment failures tend to be associated with a depressed mood, over-valued ideation, slowness, mental compulsions and severe degrees of avoidance.
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