OCD
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OCD involves unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours that can feel hard to control. Understanding how it works is the first step toward breaking the cycle and regaining a sense of choice.
References
Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 20–35. - Foundational paper explaining the theory behind Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Steketee, G., & Frost, R. O. (1994). Measurement of risk-taking in obsessive–compulsive disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 32(2), 171–178. - Demonstrates how avoidance and safety behaviours maintain OCD symptoms, supporting behavioural treatment models. Olatunji, B. O., Davis, M. L., Powers, M. B., & Smits, J. A. J. (2013). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive–compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis of treatment outcome and moderators. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(1), 33–41. - Meta-analysis confirming the strong effectiveness of CBT (especially ERP) for treating OCD.