Concepts And Controversies In Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Few syndromes in psychopathology generate as much popular curiosity and clinical exploration as does obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Since the 1970s, research on OCD has increased exponentially. Speci?c advances include an improved grasp of the heterogeneity of the disorder, identi?cation of putative subtyping schemes, and the development of increasingly sophisticated theoretical models of the etiology and maintenance. Perhaps most importantly, research has led to advances in treatment; andwhereasthe?rstlinetherapies(cognitive-behaviortherapyandserotonergicm- ication) are not entirely effective for every sufferer, they have transformed OCD from an unmanageable lifetime af?iction into a treatable problem that need not reduce quality of life. Despite the aforementioned advances, there have emerged a number of sharp disagreements concerning OCD. Differences have surfaced over phenomenological issues, etiological models, and approaches to treatment, and often occur (but not exclusively) along disciplinary lines between biologically oriented and cogniti- behaviorally oriented authorities. For example, medical approaches posit that abn- mal biological processes cause OCD, whereas psychosocial formulations emphasize the role of learning and dysfunctional cognitions. Yet because theoretical conjecture andempirical?ndingsfromwithineachtraditionaretypicallyaddressedtowardd- tinct and narrow audiences, clinicians, researchers, and students with broad interests are hindered from gaining a clear grasp of the diverse (and sometimes polarized) perspectives.

This handbook reviews research and clinical developments through synthetic chapters written by experts from various fields of study and clinical backgrounds. It discusses each of the main anxiety disorders and examines diagnostic criteria, prevalence rates, comorbidity, and clinical issues.

Psychologists, researchers, teachers, and students need complete and comprehensive information in the fields of psychology and behavioral science. The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology, Volume Three has been the reference of choice for almost three decades. This indispensable resource is updated and expanded to include much new material. It uniquely and effectively blends psychology and behavioral science. The Fourth Edition features over 1,200 entries; complete coverage of DSM disorders; and a bibliography of over 10,000 citations. Readers will benefit from up-to-date and authoritative coverage of every major area of psychology.

Previously considered a rare condition among children and adolescents, recent research on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has indicated an increased prevalence among this age group, insofar as it is now considered one of the most common of all psychiatric illnesses affecting youth. Handbook of Child and Adolescent Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is the definitive book on OCD in children and adolescents. It provides a comprehensive review of the existing literature on pediatric OCD, and is a welcome contribution to the extant literature, which otherwise lacks a text detailing the state of knowledge in this area. Emphasizing developments made in recent years, this new volume serves to disseminate information regarding effective treatments, etiology, and accurate assessment, and guides practitioners to formulate new questions that will further elucidate this condition. Distinct in its thorough coverage of various issues in pediatric OCD, Handbook of Child and Adolescent Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder features: *detailed biological and genetic chapters, including chapters on PANDAS, psychopharmacology, and neurobiology; *discussions of assessment and pharmacological and psychological treatment; *research relevant to the settings of the family, school, and primary care; and *dialogue on OCD spectrum disorders and co-morbidities. This significant work is intended for clinical psychologists and psychiatrists, school psychologists, graduate students, and all other mental health professionals. Primary care physicians will also consider this text useful, as will school counselors.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex set of thoughts and behaviors that can vary greatly from person to person and can be related to and complicated by a wide range of other disorders. Clinicians are confronted with the challenge of accurately classifying its many variants and developing effective, systematic treatments for them. Some believe that OCD and related problems should be treated as subtypes of one condition; others argue that OCD is composed of a spectrum of many similar conditions that should be treated individually. In this handbook, Jonathan S. Abramowitz, Dean McKay, and Steven Taylor present an approach to diagnosis and treatment that considers subtype and spectrum concepts. They examine specific presentations of OCD—the symptoms—that are often seen in practice as well as the many disorders that may fall within the OCD spectrum. For each symptom and putative spectrum condition, they discuss empirical support, theories of etiology, and treatment issues. The volume covers cognitive-behavioral and biological factors, as well as the latest approaches to psychological and pharmacologic therapy, including complicating factors in treatment. In concluding chapters, the authors critically address the current literature on proposed subtype and spectrum disorders, consider the clinical implications of the literature, and map out a comprehensive, integrated approach for understanding OCD and related conditions. The only work on OCD that covers treatment options for specific symptoms and the full spectrum of related disorders, this handbook is a must-have for clinicians who are dedicated to improving the lives of patients with these challenging mental conditions.

From foremost experts, this authoritative work offers a framework for helping children overcome obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) using the proven techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Therapists gain knowledge and tools to engage 6- to 18-year-olds and their parents and implement individualized CBT interventions, with a focus on exposure and response prevention. In a user-friendly, conversational style, the authors provide real-world clinical guidance illustrated with vivid case examples. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the volume's reproducible handouts in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. Building on the earlier OCD in Children and Adolescents: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Manual (by John March and Karen Mulle), this book reflects two decades of advances in the field; most of the content is completely new.

The need for evidence-based practice in mental health services is becoming clearer by the day and, until recently, the trend of emphasizing services with supporting empirical evidence has been almost exclusively limited to a focus on treatment options. A Guide to Assessments That Work fills a void in the professional literature by addressing the critical role that assessment plays in providing evidence-based mental health services. To optimize its usefulness to readers, this volume addresses the assessment of the most commonly encountered disorders or conditions among children, adolescents, adults, older adults, and couples. Strategies and instruments for assessing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, couple distress and sexual problems, health-related problems, and many other conditions are also covered in depth. With a focus throughout on assessment instruments that are feasible, psychometrically sound, and useful for typical clinical requirements, a rating system has been designed to provide evaluations of a measure's norms, reliability, validity, and clinical utility. Standardized tables summarize this information in each chapter, providing essential information on the most scientifically sound tools available for a range of assessment needs. Using the tools provided in A Guide to Assessments That Work, readers can at a glance determine the possible suitability and value of each instrument for their own clinical purposes. This much needed resource equips readers with the knowledge necessary for conducting the best evidence-based mental health assessments currently possible.