Exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review and new directions

• Published in: Indian journal of psychiatry Vol. 61; no. 7; pp. 85 - 92
• Main Authors: Hezel, Dianne, Simpson, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-01-2019; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
• Subjects: Anxiety; Behavior; Cognitive therapy; Neuroses; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Patients; Prevention; Psychotherapy; Response prevention; Review; Studies; Cognitive-behavioral therapy; exposure with response prevention; obsessive-compulsive disorder; treatment efficacy
• ISSN: 0019-5545; 1998-3794
• DOI: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_516_18

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviors that are interfering, time-consuming, and difficult to control. Although OCD was once thought to be untreatable, the last few decades have seen great success in reducing symptoms with exposure and response prevention (ERP), which is now considered to be the first-line psychotherapy for the disorder. Despite these significant therapeutic advances, there remain a number of challenges in treating OCD. In this review, we will describe the theoretical underpinnings and elements of ERP, examine the evidence for its effectiveness, and discuss new directions for enhancing it as a therapy for OCD.