Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Course

Lesson 1 • Defining OCD Clinically

Covers the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for OCD, including obsessions and compulsions. Anchors all subsequent clinical content in accurate diagnostic language.

Lesson 2 • Epidemiology and Prevalence

Presents global and demographic prevalence data for OCD. Contextualises the disorder's public health significance for clinical prioritisation.

Lesson 3 • Core Symptom Dimensions

Identifies the major OCD symptom clusters such as contamination, harm, symmetry, and taboo thoughts. Enables clinicians to recognise diverse presentations accurately.

Lesson 1 • Cognitive Models of OCD

Presents appraisal-based cognitive models explaining how intrusive thoughts become clinical obsessions. Directly supports cognitive restructuring techniques taught in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Neurobiology of OCD

Covers cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit dysfunction and neurotransmitter involvement in OCD. Provides the biological rationale for pharmacological interventions introduced later.

Lesson 3 • Developmental and Environmental Factors

Examines how early experiences, stress, and environmental triggers interact with biological vulnerability. Informs case conceptualisation and relapse prevention planning.

Lesson 1 • Differential Diagnosis Framework

Distinguishes OCD from GAD, PTSD, body dysmorphic disorder, and psychotic disorders. Prevents misdiagnosis that leads to ineffective or harmful treatment pathways.

Lesson 2 • Comorbidity Assessment

Addresses systematic screening for common OCD comorbidities including depression, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. Ensures treatment planning accounts for the full clinical picture.

Lesson 3 • Validated Assessment Instruments

Covers the Y-BOCS, OCI-R, and other validated scales for measuring OCD severity. Equips clinicians to select, administer, and interpret measures for treatment monitoring.

Lesson 4 • Case Conceptualisation for OCD

Integrates assessment data into a coherent cognitive-behavioural case formulation. Bridges assessment findings to individualised treatment planning covered in the next chapter.

Lesson 1 • Designing Homework Exposures

Guides clinicians in assigning, structuring, and reviewing between-session exposure tasks. Homework compliance is a primary predictor of ERP outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Building the Exposure Hierarchy

Teaches collaborative construction of a graded exposure hierarchy using SUDS ratings. This hierarchy is the structural backbone of every ERP treatment plan.

Lesson 3 • Theoretical Basis of ERP

Explains inhibitory learning theory and habituation models underlying ERP effectiveness. Ensures clinicians can rationally justify ERP to sceptical or ambivalent patients.

Lesson 4 • Troubleshooting ERP Challenges

Addresses common ERP obstacles including partial compliance, mental rituals, and reassurance-seeking. Equips clinicians to maintain treatment fidelity under real-world conditions.

Lesson 1 • Cognitive Restructuring Techniques

Covers Socratic questioning, behavioural experiments, and pie-chart techniques for OCD appraisals. Provides practical tools to modify beliefs that maintain compulsive behaviour.

Lesson 2 • Metacognitive Therapy Approaches

Presents metacognitive therapy targeting beliefs about the meaning and danger of thoughts. Expands the clinician's toolkit for patients unresponsive to standard cognitive methods.

Lesson 3 • Identifying Maladaptive Appraisals

Teaches systematic identification of inflated responsibility, threat overestimation, and perfectionism beliefs. Accurate appraisal identification is prerequisite to effective cognitive intervention.

Lesson 1 • Augmentation Strategies

Reviews evidence-based augmentation options for SRI-partial responders, including antipsychotics. Prepares clinicians to recognise when and how to escalate pharmacological treatment.

Lesson 2 • Managing Side Effects and Adherence

Addresses common SRI side effects and strategies to support medication adherence. Directly impacts treatment retention and long-term pharmacological outcomes.

Lesson 3 • First-Line Pharmacotherapy

Covers SRI medications as first-line OCD pharmacotherapy, including dosing ranges and onset timelines. Establishes the pharmacological foundation for all medication-related clinical decisions.

Lesson 1 • OCD in Older Adults

Addresses late-onset OCD, cognitive considerations, and medication adjustments for older patients. Ensures clinicians avoid age-related diagnostic and treatment errors.

Lesson 2 • Cultural Considerations in OCD

Explores how cultural, religious, and linguistic factors shape OCD presentation and treatment engagement. Builds culturally responsive assessment and intervention skills.

Lesson 3 • Perinatal OCD

Examines OCD onset and exacerbation during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Addresses the clinical urgency of accurate identification and safe treatment in this population.

Lesson 4 • Treatment-Resistant OCD

Defines treatment resistance and presents advanced options including intensive ERP and neuromodulation. Prepares clinicians to manage the most challenging OCD cases systematically.

Lesson 1 • Understanding Relapse in OCD

Defines relapse versus lapse and identifies common triggers for OCD symptom return. Accurate relapse conceptualisation is prerequisite to effective prevention planning.

Lesson 2 • Termination and Step-Down Planning

Addresses the clinical process of ending therapy, reducing session frequency, and transitioning to self-management. Ensures patients leave treatment with confidence and a clear support structure.

Lesson 3 • Maintenance Strategies Post-Treatment

Covers ongoing self-directed ERP practice, lifestyle factors, and stress management for maintenance. Sustains inhibitory learning and prevents gradual symptom drift.