Question

Ashok, who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), is considering alternative therapies to complement his current treatment. Recommend and justify which approach might be most beneficial for Ashok.

Answer 1

A highly recommended alternative therapy to supplement Ashok's current treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), specifically the CBT approach known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

To prevent Ashok’s typical compulsive reaction, ERP gradually exposes him to the ideas, pictures, or circumstances that trigger his obsessions. This eventually breaks the loop of fixation and compulsion and lessens the anxiety associated with these triggers. For example, ERP would involve introducing Ashok to slightly unclean surfaces and assisting him in resisting the temptation to wash his hands immediately, as he is afraid of germs.

This approach is beneficial because it:

• Directly addresses the basic symptoms of OCD.
• Assists Ashok in recognising his worries as unreasonable and overblown.
• Reduces distress from obsessive thoughts without relying on compulsions for relief.

CBT with ERP has scientifically proven to be as effective, if not more successful, than medication alone in lowering OCD symptoms, particularly frequency and intensity.