ROLE OF ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT) IN MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is chronic and long lasting chronic illness which affects the 2% of the population. ACT is a useful approach to treat OCD which focus on both the behavioral and cognitive processes of the patient. Numerous studies have reported that prevalence of OCD and role of psychological intervention in treating patients with OCD by ACT (Jaisoory et al., 2017; Ruscio et al., 2010; Cherian and Philip, 2021; Philip et al., 2020; Shabani et al., 2019; & Lee et al., 2018). The study aimed to compare the total scores of OCD, total types of obsessions and compulsions, and total change in psychological flexibility among patients with OCD at pre and post-treatment levels. Further, it also compares the different types of obsessions and compulsions at pre and post-treatment levels of ACT. Through purposive sampling technique, 20 patients with OCD were selected for ACT. Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS; Goodman et al., 1989) and Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Symptom Checklist (YBOCS-SC; Goodman et al., 1989), and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II; Bond et al., 2011) were used. Ten therapeutic sessions were given to 4 groups (5 members in each). Per week each session was given and on average it took 1 hour. Findings indicated a statistically significant differences in total OCD (M=23.20, SD=6.55, M=7.05, SD=5.186, p<.001), total types of obsessions and compulsions (M=7.45, SD=2.259, M=.85, SD=1.565, p<.001) and total change in psychological flexibility (M=14.95, SD=5.880, M=40.45, SD=5.472, p<.001) of patients with OCD at pre and post-treatment levels. Further, it also indicated reduction in types of obsessions and compulsions at post-treatment level as compared to pre-treatment level.