RUNNING HEAD: EVI-BASED PAPER 1
Evidenced-Based Paper
Abstract
In this paper I discussed various treatment plans for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I described and
elaborated what the actual disorder is and what the symptoms are. After listing many courses of
treatment I evaluated each one based on available research material. The conclusion was that the top
9.4 Evidenced Based Paper- Treatment methods for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 2
line treatment is Cognitive Behavior Therapy combined with Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor drugs. At
times this isn’t beneficial to a client and one has to be able to evaluate other options specifically for
them.
9.4 Evidenced Based Paper- Treatment methods for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
I was assigned to research treatment methods of a psychological issues of my choice. I chose
OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. According to the DSM-5, OCD is defined as, the existence of
obsessions and or compulsions that are either time consuming or cause significant distress in important
areas of functioning. They are not the cause from medical condition or medication. To note, the distress
of OCD would not be diagnosed more specifically by another mental disorder. The obsessions that are
9.4 Evidenced Based Paper- Treatment methods for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 3
listed in the definition are described as repeatedly persistent thoughts or impulses that one experiences,
at one point during a time of distress that usually causes anxiety or distress. Also, one tries to ignore
these thoughts with another thought/action- which is a compulsion. A compulsion is a repetitive action
or mental process that one feels forced to do in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules.
These actions and mental processes are thought to reduce the anxiety, or feared situation. Although,
they are not connected in any way to what they are supposed to neutralize from happening. (Moving
Beyond OCD With Better Treatment Standards, 2018). What’s unfortunate and sad specifically about
OCD is that many people go undiagnosed and untreated for years partly due to not understanding the
disorder. If an individual doesn’t know enough about OCD they wouldn’t think to seek help for what
seems to be normal albeit, frustrating to them. The result of such situations is that treatment is pushed
off that many years, at times 10-15(!) years. The pain that they wish to get rid of and the dreams that
they wish to reach and live are that much further away. Additionally, aside for the suffering individual
themselves who are unaware, many general practitioners aren’t knowledgeable enough in this area as
well. The responsibility of knowing, understanding, and staying up to date with research is all to
important to slip up on. (UK, 2015)
Within the past year about 1.2% American adults were diagnosed with OCD. This statistic was
concluded from diagnostic interview-style research data from the National Comorbidity Survey
Replication, NCS-R. (NIMH, 2017) The average of lifetime prevalence of OCD among American adults was
2.3% within the past year. (NIMH, 2017) According to Symptoms for OCD range widely from mild, to
severe and extreme. For example, an individual suffering from OCD may fear dirt and unsanitary
situations. They may need everything to be in perfect order and result in them straightening books on
bookshelves repeatedly. They may also have thoughts of uncomfortable situations that can result in the
individual shouting out loud or doubt that they locked the doors, shut off the stove etc. (Staff, 1998-
9.4 Evidenced Based Paper- Treatment methods for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 4
2018) The individuals suffer from great distress and need to seek professional guidance to get cured.
Unfortunately, curing OCD is not a ‘1,2,3, done deal. It’s a long, hard ordeal that only with much time
and effort can produce success. There are many different methods of treatment for Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder. I would like to describe each one in detail and then afterward evaluate each one
for its efficiency.
The first method that I would like to discuss is cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy, better known as CBT is a combination of behavioral and cognitive therapy, while behavioral
therapy focuses on individuals feeling safe within themselves, cognitive therapy focuses on changing
one’s way of thinking about fearful situations that cause them to feel unsafe (Tompkins, 2012).There are
different types of CBT treatments; for example, one is ERP, Exposure with Response Prevention. ERP is
