Title:The Use and Misuse of Exposure Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Author(s): Jonathan S. Abramowitz and Ryan J. Jacoby
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Body dysmorphic disorder, exposure therapy, hair pulling, hoarding, obsessive-compulsive disorder, skin picking.
Abstract: In this article we define and describe the use of exposure-based therapy for OCD. This approach involves
confrontation with feared stimulus with the aim of facilitating fear extinction. Exposure, however, is not applicable for a
number of psychological conditions now listed as related to OCD in the DSM-5. We explain when it is appropriate to use
exposure and when it is not, and raise cautions for clinicians to consider when working with patients with problems
putatively related to OCD.
