Obsessive–Compulsive Behavior

In Obsessive–Compulsive Behavior, Dr. Martin M. Antony demonstrates his approach to working with this common problem. Dr. Antony works within a cognitive–behavioral framework, which includes an exploration of the triggers that bring on the client's anxiety, prolonged exposure to these cues, and prevention of the client's compulsive behavior. The client is taught strategies for coping with anxiety that arises during the course of the practice.

In this session, Dr. Antony works with a woman in her 30s who exhibits compulsive behavior surrounding counting and order.

Dr. Antony's primary approach to treatment is cognitive–behavioral therapy, and his work is generally in the area of anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia) and related conditions (e.g., hypochondriasis, body dysmorphic disorder, perfectionism). Dr. Antony tends to use exposure-based strategies for dealing with fears of situations, objects, physical sensations, and thoughts. In addition, he uses cognitive strategies to teach clients to challenge their anxious thoughts and to replace them with more realistic interpretations and predictions regarding the situations they fear. Finally, relaxation-based strategies (e.g., progressive muscle relaxation, breathing retraining) are used to help clients to cope with generalized anxiety and stress.

In this particular video, the emphasis was on exposure-based strategies.

The typical client with whom Dr. Antony would use exposure therapy is a client who tends to avoid particular situations, objects, and experiences. Generally, exposure-based treatments have been found to be effective for a wide range of anxiety disorders and related conditions.

Martin M. Antony, PhD, is professor in the Department of Psychology at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. He is also director of research at the Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, Ontario. Dr. Antony has published 20 books and more than 100 scientific articles and book chapters in the areas of anxiety disorders and cognitive–behavioral therapy. His work has been recognized by awards from Division 12 (the Society of Clinical Psychology) of the American Psychological Association, the Canadian Psychological Association, and the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Visit Dr. Antony's web site for more information.

• Antony, M. M., & Barlow, D. H. (Eds.). (2002). Handbook of assessment, treatment planning, and outcome evaluation: Empirically supported strategies for psychological disorders. New York: Guilford Press.
• Antony, M. M., Orsillo, S. M., & Roemer, L. (Eds.). (2001). Practitioner's guide to empirically-based measures of anxiety. New York: Springer.
• Antony, M. M., Purdon, C., & Summerfeldt, L. J. (in press). Psychological treatment of OCD: Fundamentals and beyond. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Antony, M. M., & Swinson, R. P. (1998). When perfect isn't good enough: Strategies for coping with perfectionism. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
• Antony, M. M., & Swinson, R. P. (2000). Phobic disorders and panic in adults: A guide to assessment and treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Baer, L. (2000). Getting control: Overcoming your obsessions and compulsions (Rev. ed.). New York: Plume.
• Clark, D. A. (2004). Cognitive–behavioral therapy for OCD. New York: Guilford Press.
• Foa, E. B., & Wilson, R. (2001). Stop obsessing! How to overcome your obsessions and compulsions (Rev. ed.). New York: Bantam Books.
• Frost, R. O., & Steketee, G. (Eds.). (2002). Cognitive approaches to obsessions and compulsions: Theory, assessment, and treatment. Oxford, England: Pergamon.
• Goodman, W. K., Rudorfer, M. V., & Maser, J. D. (Eds.). (2000). Obsessive–compulsive disorder: Contemporary issues in treatment. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
• Grayson, J. (2004). Freedom from obsessive–compulsive disorder: A personalized recovery program for living with uncertainty. New York: Berkley Books.
• Hyman, B. M., & Pedrick, C. (2005). The OCD workbook: Your guide to breaking free from obsessive-compulsive disorder (2nd ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
• Maj, M., Sartorius, N., Okasha, A., & Zohar, J. (2002). Obsessive–compulsive disorder (2nd ed.). Chichester, England: Wiley.
• Menzies, R. G., & de Silva, P. (Eds.). (2003). Obsessive–compulsive disorder: Theory, research, and treatment. Chichester, England: Wiley.
• Purdon, C., & Clark, D. A. (2005). Overcoming obsessive thoughts: How to gain control of your OCD. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
• Rachman, S. (2003). The treatment of obsessions. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Swinson, R. P., Antony, M. M., Rachman, S., & Richter, M. A. (Eds.). (1998). Obsessive–compulsive disorder: Theory, research, and treatment. New York: Guilford Press.

APA Videos

• Behavior Therapy for Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
  Samuel M. Turner
• Behavioral Therapy Over Time
  Martin M. Antony
• Cognitive–Behavior Therapy
  Jacqueline B. Persons
• Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy for Perfectionism Over Time
  Martin M. Antony
• Cognitive Therapy
  Judith S. Beck
• Cognitive Therapy for Panic Disorder
  David M. Clark
• Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
  R. Reid Wilson
• Schema Therapy
  Jeffrey E. Young
• Treating Clients With Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  Michelle G. Craske

APA Books

• Phobic Disorders and Panic in Adults: A Guide to Assessment and Treatment
  Martin M. Antony and Richard P. Swinson
• The Prevention of Anxiety and Depression: Theory, Research, and Practice
  Edited by David J. A. Dozois and Keith S. Dobson
• Psychological Treatment of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Fundamentals and Beyond
  Edited by Martin M. Antony, Christine Purdon, and Laura J. Summerfeldt
• Shy Children, Phobic Adults: Nature and Treatment of Social Phobia, Second Edition
  Deborah C. Beidel and Samuel M. Turner
• Understanding and Treating Anxiety Disorders: An Integrative Approach to Healing the Wounded Self
  Barry E. Wolfe
• Virtual Reality Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Advances in Evaluation and Treatment
  Brenda K. Wiederhold and Mark D. Wiederhold

Magination Press Books

• What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
  Dawn Huebner; Illustrated by Bonnie Matthews