Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Plus Drug Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

CBT Augmentation for SRI Pharmacotherapy in OCD

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of two cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) in treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in patients who are taking medication but still have residual symptoms.

Participants remain on their current OCD medication and are randomly assigned to receive one of two CBTs: exposure and ritual prevention or stress management therapy. Exposure and ritual prevention involves imaginal and in-vivo exposure and requires that participants refrain from ritualizing. Stress management involves relaxation, assertiveness training, and structured problem-solving. Therapy occurs twice per week for 2 months. Participants are assessed verbally by an independent evaluator and are asked to complete self-rating forms. Patients who respond are followed for up to 1 additional year. Participants continue to take the same medication and the same monthly therapy for the first 6 months of follow-up. During the second 6 months of follow-up, participants discontinue therapy but continue taking the same medication.

For information on a related study, please follow this link:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00389493

Inclusion Criteria:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) diagnosis
• Currently taking a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI, i.e. clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, or citalopram) for OCD

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical or psychiatric conditions that would make participation in the study hazardous
• Intensive cognitive-behavioral therapy while on an adequate dose and duration of an SRI for OCD