A terapia cognitivo-comportamental no tratamento do transtorno obsessivo compulsivo: uma breve revisão bibliográfica

Abstract

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a serious and disabling psychiatric condition. Currently, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered the first-line psychotherapeutic treatment for OCD. However, despite the ample empirical evidence supporting it, around 20% of patients fail to complete treatment, and approximately 30% of those who do complete it do not show clinically significant improvement. This study aims to examine the effectiveness and limitations of CBT for the treatment of OCD. To this end, a bibliographic survey was carried out, consulting books, manuals and, above all, systematic review articles and meta-analyses of randomized controlled clinical trials published in the last 10 years. The analysis of the scientific articles focused on effect sizes comparing the results of CBT with the results of various control groups. The studies evaluated found high and significant effect sizes for comparisons between CBT treatments and treatments with psychopharmacological agents (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), placebo or waiting list. Therefore, the publications reviewed provide evidence to support CBT as the best available treatment for OCD. However, there is still room for improvement in this therapeutic approach, as many OCD patients do not achieve symptom remission. In addition, methods are needed to better estimate prognosis and possible directions to improve treatment outcomes.