Non-biological treatment of OCD - ERP

What is ERP based on?

the idea that obsessions are maintained over time through negative reinforcement which prevents re-learning taking place

Why is it difficult for the individual to stop performing rituals?

they've been associated with calming

How does ERP help relearning?

through exposure and response prevention

What is exposure?

therapy technique which involves the client facing their anxiety-provoking stimulus

What is habituation?

they are repeatedly presented with the feared stimulus until the anxiety subsides

Facing the fear usually begins imaginatively and then moves to what?

in vivo - in real li

How is the cycle of compulsions broken?

the client is forced to experience the stimulus and learn a new association with relaxation

What is response prevention?

the client is prohibited from engaging in the usual compulsive response

Why is response prevention important?

so that the client can recognise that anxiety can be reduced without a compulsive ritual

What happens at the beginning of a session?

a clinician will identify a list of target symptoms using YBOCS

What does the client do with their list of target symptoms?

rank them in order of least to most anxiety provoking

How many sessions does ERP usually consist of?

between 13 and 20

Once the client has improved, what are they encouraged to do?

continue using ERP techniques to apply to new situations which may arise