What is Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for OCD?
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) is the psychotherapeutic treatment most highly recommended for individuals with OCD. CBT consists of two components: cognitive therapy (CT) and behavior therapy (BT). Traditional psychotherapy, aimed at helping a patient develop insight into his or her problem, is generally not helpful specifically for OCD symptoms themselves. However, traditional psychotherapy may be of benefit as part of a treatment package for patients who have been ill and isolated for many years or for those whose illness started at an early age. Cognitive Therapy (CT) is the cognitive component of CBT. Many individuals with OCD have an intense fear of looming disaster and an excessive sense of responsibility. In CT, the therapist and patient work together to identify how certain distorted patterns of thinking are causing these symptoms. Therapists help patients to overcome their symptoms by challenging and altering their ways of thinking and their behavioral and emotional reaction
