Obsessive-compulsive disorder - psychiatry and psychotherapy hand in hand

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessive thoughts or re­petitive actions - compulsions present most of the day for at least two weeks. In Slovenia, patients with OCD get very little clinical attention and there is no special treatment regime for their needs. Therefore, we created a treatment algorhythm for OCD that includes cooperation between psychiatrist and psychotherapist to introduce holistic care for patients with OCD. We included current knowledge in the algorhythm and the availability of treatment modalities was taken in account. The essence of the al­gorhythm is a constant focus on patient needs and individual treatment for each patient, which includes pharmacotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, group and individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The algorhythm defines the expectations of all three participants (patient, a psychiatrist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist). The results of two years of experiences of the algorhythm are much better than we expected, because 15 of the 19 patients included in group therapy and 20 out of 21 patients(in individual therapy?) remained in therapy. All patients who remained in the treatment are clinically improved.