Among the most prevalent and personally devastating psychological disorders the development of a cognitive approach to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has transformed our understanding and treatment of it. In this highly practical and accessible book, Jonathan Abramowitz presents a model of OCD grounded in the most up-to-date research that incorporates both cognitive and behavioral processes. He then offers a step-by-step guide to psychological treatment that integrates psychoeducation, cognitive techniques, and behavioral therapy (exposure and response prevention). Unlike other manuals for the treatment of OCD, this book teaches the reader how to tailor the choice of techniques and delivery modes for individuals presenting with a wide range of specific OCD symptoms, such as contamination fears and cleaning rituals, fears of harm and compulsive checking, symmetry and ordering, and severe obsessions with mental rituals. The techniques are illustrated with numerous case examples; clinical forms and handouts are provided for use with patients. A final chapter suggests strategies for overcoming common obstacles in treatment.

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 unique volume gives readers a front-row seat at an exciting and crucial symposium.

Recent advances in theory and treatment have significantly increased our understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Yet research on OCD generally falls in categories of either behavioral or biological, and rarely do the two meet. Concepts and Controversies in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder bridges this gap admirably. Featuring an international panel of 42 experts, this volume focuses in depth ona "and presents opposing viewpoints to a "the seven conceptual and practical disputes that characterize the field today:

- categorical versus dimensional perspectives on symptoms

- animal versus behavioral models

- single OCD entity versus OCD spectrum

- neuropsychiatric versus cognitive-behavioral models

- cognitive therapy versus exposure therapy

- self-directed versus therapist-directed treatment

- medication versus cognitive-behavioral therapy

These issues are presented in a debate format, with each side contributing a position paper on the topic, followed by a rebuttal from the opposite perspective. To further enrich the debate, timely chapters examine special areas such as sexual addictions, body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania, Tourettea (TM)s syndrome, and compulsive shopping in the context of OCD.

This level of discussion and argument, with its possibility for collaboration and integration, makes Concepts and Controveries of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder unique and productive reading for students, researchers, and therapists of all orientations as they design the next generation of theory and greater nuances of treatment.

When a loved one has OCD, it's a constant struggle. It hurts to see your spouse so anxious or your teen spending so much time alone. You've tried logic, reassurance, even accommodating endless rituals--but, too often, these well-meaning attempts actually make OCD worse. Psychologist Jonathan Abramowitz has worked with countless families affected by OCD, and he understands the strain. He also knows you can turn things around. Grounded in state-of-the-art treatment research, this compassionate guide helps you change your own behavior to support your loved one's recovery. By gently but firmly encouraging the person you care about to face their fears, you can stop being controlled by the disorder, disentangle yourself from unhealthy patterns, and see your whole family grow more confident and hopeful. Vivid stories, dos and don'ts, and practical tools (which you can download and print for repeated use) help you follow the step-by-step strategies in this life-changing book.

You may not be able to change the things that are stressing you out, but what if you could respond differently? How would it feel to let go of chronic worry and tension, manage your time more effectively, be less irritable and exhausted, and tackle everyday hassles with confidence? Now you can find out for yourself. Weaving together proven self-help strategies, prominent clinician-researcher Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz helps you accomplish more--and stress less. Easy-to-use worksheets, forms, and numerous examples show you step by step how to create a personalized anti-stress action plan. You'll learn where stress comes from, when it can actually be beneficial, and how it gets out of control. Dr. Abramowitz provides the guidance, specific instructions, and encouragement you need to: *Break free of all-or-nothing thinking and other mental traps. *Get more out of each hour in the day. *Resolve conflicts with your partner or kids. *Cope with work problems and financial strains. *Use meditation to attain a sense of well-being. *Set achievable goals for healthy eating and exercise. *Meet your deadlines--without running yourself into the ground. *Reduce stress-related pain and other health concerns.

Advanced Casebook of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: Conceptualizations and Treatment presents a synthesis of the emerging data across clinical phenomenology, assessment, psychological therapies and biologically-oriented therapies regarding obsessive compulsive disorders, including hoarding, skin picking, body dysmorphic and impulse control disorders. Following the re-classification of such disorders in the DSM-5, the book addresses recent advances in treatment, assessment, treatment augmentation and basic science of OCRDs. The second half of the book focuses on the treatment of OCRDs, covering both psychological therapies (e.g. inhibitory learning informed exposure, tech-based CBT applications) and biologically oriented therapies (e.g. neuromodulation).

Now revised and expanded to include cutting-edge acceptance-based techniques and a new focus on inhibitory learning, this is the leading guide to therapeutic exposure, a crucial element of evidence-based psychological treatments for anxiety. The book helps the clinician gain skills and confidence for implementing exposure successfully and tailoring interventions to each client's needs, regardless of diagnosis. The theoretical and empirical bases of exposure are reviewed and specialized assessment and treatment planning techniques are described. User-friendly features include illustrative case examples, sample treatment plans, ideas for exercises targeting specific types of fears, and reproducible handouts and forms that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 81/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition *Chapter on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) techniques. *Reflects a shift in the field toward inhibitory learning--helping clients learn to tolerate anxiety and uncertainty to maximize long-term outcomes. *Chapter on uses of technology, such as computer-based therapy and virtual reality tools. *Conceptual, empirical, and clinical advances woven throughout.

This volume opens with an overview of the diagnosis and assessment of OCD in adults and delineates an evidence-based conceptual framework for understanding the development, maintenance, and treatment of obsessions and compulsions. The core of the book that follows is a highly practical treatment manual, based on decades of scientific research and clinical refinement, packed with helpful clinical pearls, therapist-patient dialogues, illustrative case vignettes, sample forms and handouts. State-of-the-art strategies for enhancing exposure therapy using inhibitory learning, ACT, and couples-based approaches are described. Readers are also equipped with skills for tailoring treatment to patients with different types of OCD symptoms (e.g., contamination, unacceptable thoughts, challenging presentations such as mental rituals) and for addressing common obstacles to treatment. The book is an essential resource for anyone providing services for individuals with anxiety disorders.

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRDs) have received considerable attention over the past two decades culminating with the inclusion of a new classification category of "Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders" (OCRDs) in DSM-5. This group of conditions includes OCD along with two newly minted conditions (Hoarding Disorder and Excoriation Disorder) and others previously classified as Somatoform Disorders (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) and Impulse Control Disorders (Hair Pulling Disorder). The implications for research on these conditions, as well as their relations with one another, are significant since their aggregation is based on putative central mechanisms with limited empirical support to date. Indeed, the past decades have seen a dramatic surge in research on OCRDs. Such scholarship has occurred across several domains including clinical phenomenology, assessment, and psychological therapies. A complete synthesis of the emerging data across these domains would be beyond the scope of a single journal article or series of articles while having the ability to comprehensively discuss advances in the field and stimulating in these areas Many of the available textbooks, although meritorious in their own right, are outdated and do not address the most recent research advances and emerging clinical implications. Indeed, the past decade has seen a tremendous growth in knowledge on treatment, assessment, treatment augmentation, and basic science that is not contained fully within existing volumes (see discussion of specific texts further below). Thus, providing a comprehensive textbook that addresses recent advances will provide a much needed update to the field of OCRDs. Furthermore, recent texts primarily address OCRDs from a biological standpoint, neglecting psychosocial theoretical and intervention approaches that enjoy the most empirical support of any conceptual and treatment approaches for most of the relevant conditions. As a result, the literature has been dominated by a single predominant perspective, which does not fully represent the available data or perspectives of front-line clinicians and researchers alike. As researchers and clinicians will be increasingly focused on this topic in light of the changes to DSM-5 - together with the dearth of current objective available information - this book will be a timely addition to the literature in guiding clinicians in advances in OCRDs that will impact their practice. Third, a number of conditions outside the OCRD chapter in DSM-5 are often proposed as "related" to OCD (e.g., misophonia).

This book describes training, supervision, and consultation with specialized cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) approaches, to ensure proper implementation across a variety of clinical contexts. Although CBT is sometimes portrayed as a single treatment method, the expert contributors in this volume describe a diverse collection of cognitive behavioral theories and techniques, such as exposure therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and child behavior management. Contributors also review application guidelines for a variety of settings, including public schools, inpatient and outpatient medical settings, and diverse client populations representing different religious and spiritual beliefs, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and sexual and gender minorities. For each approach and setting, contributors describe key concepts and techniques, explain the characteristics of good and bad training cases, survey common trainee mistakes and supervision obstacles, and also address common ethical issues. This book is intended for CBT trainees and practitioners who seek training in specialized areas, and those trained in other theoretical orientations who seek to adapt CBT techniques to their practice.

Thoroughly updated based on the latest science, this empowering workbook gives you the skills to overcome obsessional thoughts and compulsive behaviors--and live a freer, happier life. Leading OCD specialist Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz presents a step-by-step program grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the most effective treatment for the disorder. Vivid stories and numerous practical tools (which you can download and print for repeated use) help you: *Understand how OCD affects your mind and body. *Develop a customized plan for change. *Find relief from distressing intrusive thoughts. *Confront the situations you avoid--and discover a new sense of safety. *Break free of compulsive rituals. *Reduce anxiety and improve your relationships. The second edition is revised throughout with cutting-edge strategies for coping with unwanted thoughts that can't be eliminated completely, plus new learning techniques drawn from brain research. Ready to get over OCD? Your journey starts here.

When a loved one has OCD, it's a constant struggle. It hurts to see your spouse so anxious or your teen spending so much time alone. You've tried logic, reassurance, even accommodating endless rituals--but, too often, these well-meaning attempts actually make OCD worse. Psychologist Jonathan Abramowitz has worked with countless families affected by OCD, and he understands the strain. He also knows you can turn things around. Grounded in state-of-the-art treatment research, this compassionate guide helps you change your own behavior to support your loved one's recovery. By gently but firmly encouraging the person you care about to face their fears, you can stop being controlled by the disorder, disentangle yourself from unhealthy patterns, and see your whole family grow more confident and hopeful. Vivid stories, dos and don'ts, and practical tools (which you can download and print for repeated use) help you follow the step-by-step strategies in this life-changing book.

Among the most prevalent and personally devastating psychological disorders the development of a cognitive approach to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has transformed our understanding and treatment of it. In this highly practical and accessible book, Jonathan Abramowitz presents a model of OCD grounded in the most up-to-date research that incorporates both cognitive and behavioral processes. He then offers a step-by-step guide to psychological treatment that integrates psychoeducation, cognitive techniques, and behavioral therapy (exposure and response prevention). Unlike other manuals for the treatment of OCD, this book teaches the reader how to tailor the choice of techniques and delivery modes for individuals presenting with a wide range of specific OCD symptoms, such as contamination fears and cleaning rituals, fears of harm and compulsive checking, symmetry and ordering, and severe obsessions with mental rituals. The techniques are illustrated with numerous case examples; clinical forms and handouts are provided for use with patients. A final chapter suggests strategies for overcoming common obstacles in treatment.