Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

This is an introductory course for psychotherapists on the identification and treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Not only are typical symptoms of OCD reviewed but common psychiatric features, as well as more atypical presentations are also summarized. Various treatments for this disorder, ranging from pharmacological and behavioral to surgical, are also noted.

The first set of articles in this course provides a broad definition, description, and etiology for OCD. The second set of articles provides insight into more specialized presentations of OCD and compulsive behaviors. An audiotaped interview with Meredith Watkins, MFT notes changes made in the recent revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Revision (DSM-5) that directly impact the diagnosis of OCD (transcript provided). The following article reviews some of the treatment options for OCD. The next set of articles presents information for the identification and treatment of OCD in children. Additional resources and references are provided for further study, but they are not part of the course.