Respuesta al tratamiento combinado en el Trastorno Obsesivo Compulsivo Grave: Reporte de caso

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental condition that can cause significant dysfunctions in those who suffer from it. We present the case of an adult male with symptoms of obsessions, compulsions and avoidance that limited his functionality. To assess the severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and the behavioral interview were used, while for depressive symptoms, the Beck Depression Inventory was used. At the beginning of treatment, the patient obtained a score of 34 on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (extreme severity) and 40 points on the Beck Depression Inventory (severe). After 16 weeks of participation in a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy program that included exposure and response prevention therapy, together with the administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the level of severity was reduced to mild on both scales (15 and 13 points, respectively). The combined pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment was effective in reducing the symptoms associated with the disorder. The challenges associated with the application of exposure and response prevention therapy as a first-line treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder are discussed, as well as relevant pharmacological aspects and limitations of the study.