Functional Impairment in OCD and Cognitive Intervention

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by presence of obsessions & compulsions and has a life time prevalence of around 2%-3%. Increase in symptoms severity in OCD is associated with noticeable impairment in daily psycho-social functioning of the patient, that further add-on to the stress level of the individual and increases burden on the family and society. Therefore effective and timely management is required. Literature favours cognitive intervention in the form of restructuring techniques in managing symptoms severity in OCD.  Present study attempts to look its role on functional impairment of such patients. Pre and post intervention with a control group design were made to conduct this study involving 20 patients with OCD. Patients were equally divided in two groups where one group was given cognitive intervention for 10 weeks. Pre and post intervention assessment was done on YBOCS & DAQ and results were compared. Obtained data indicates significant improved scores on YBOCS and DAQ at post intervention assessment, in the intervene group. Finding reveals that cognitive intervention does have an impact in improving functional ability along with remission of primary obsessive compulsive symptoms in patients with OCD.