moritz
09-24-2007, 03:18 PM
Dear forum members,
Our research group has been involved in the research and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for many years. Since the end of 2005, we have been developing a new treatment method (association splitting), which aims at reducing intensity and frequency of obsessive thoughts. You can downlaod the manual cost-free via the following link:
http://www.uke.uni-hamburg.de/kliniken/psychiatrie/index_31780.php
In a pilot study (*see below) with 30 OCD patients we found an average reduction of obsessive-compulsive symptomatology of 26%, the strength of obsessive thoughts was reduced by 25%. After three weeks, during which the method was to be self-applied, up to 42% of participants showed a symptom decline of at least 35%. Thus, association splitting represents a promising treatment strategy for a substantial minority of patients. Since conducting our pilot study, we have further refined the approach. In future, we will especially focus on promoting the incorporation of our method into existing therapy programs.
The method is aimed at persons suffering from specific, that is, concrete obsessive thoughts (e.g. excessive concerns to contaminate others; uncertainty to have driven someone over by car accidentally; fear to cause catastrophe in the case of not putting things into a particular order or not making a certain prayer).
Currently, the method may not be beneficial for the following individuals:
1. Individuals exclusively performing compulsive actions, that is, without any preceding obsessive thoughts. Compulsive actions are, for example, excessive washing of one's own body, checking (e.g. oven, door lock), sorting and excessive hoarding. There are also mental compulsive actions, like for example counting or mental rituals, which are employed to "prevent" obsessive thoughts or their feared consequences. In most cases obsessive thoughts precede compulsive actions (e.g. exaggerated fear of having been contaminated (obsessive thought) is followed by a washing ritual (compulsive action)).
2. Individuals, who do not at least partially acknowledge the absurdity or exaggerative nature of their thoughts. Individuals convinced their thoughts and actions are justified and entirely rational, are likely not to benefit from our method.
We rely on your feed-back to improve the technique and the comprehensibility of the manual. Please take the time to provide a feed-back at: moritz@uke.uni-hamburg.de (Dr. Steffen Moritz).
Best regards,
Dr. Steffen Moritz & Dr. Lena Jelinek
*Literature:
Moritz, S. Jelinek, L., Klinge, R. & Naber, D. (in press). Fight fire with fireflies! Association splitting: a novel cognitive technique to reduce obsessive thoughts. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Our research group has been involved in the research and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for many years. Since the end of 2005, we have been developing a new treatment method (association splitting), which aims at reducing intensity and frequency of obsessive thoughts. You can downlaod the manual cost-free via the following link:
http://www.uke.uni-hamburg.de/kliniken/psychiatrie/index_31780.php
In a pilot study (*see below) with 30 OCD patients we found an average reduction of obsessive-compulsive symptomatology of 26%, the strength of obsessive thoughts was reduced by 25%. After three weeks, during which the method was to be self-applied, up to 42% of participants showed a symptom decline of at least 35%. Thus, association splitting represents a promising treatment strategy for a substantial minority of patients. Since conducting our pilot study, we have further refined the approach. In future, we will especially focus on promoting the incorporation of our method into existing therapy programs.
The method is aimed at persons suffering from specific, that is, concrete obsessive thoughts (e.g. excessive concerns to contaminate others; uncertainty to have driven someone over by car accidentally; fear to cause catastrophe in the case of not putting things into a particular order or not making a certain prayer).
Currently, the method may not be beneficial for the following individuals:
1. Individuals exclusively performing compulsive actions, that is, without any preceding obsessive thoughts. Compulsive actions are, for example, excessive washing of one's own body, checking (e.g. oven, door lock), sorting and excessive hoarding. There are also mental compulsive actions, like for example counting or mental rituals, which are employed to "prevent" obsessive thoughts or their feared consequences. In most cases obsessive thoughts precede compulsive actions (e.g. exaggerated fear of having been contaminated (obsessive thought) is followed by a washing ritual (compulsive action)).
2. Individuals, who do not at least partially acknowledge the absurdity or exaggerative nature of their thoughts. Individuals convinced their thoughts and actions are justified and entirely rational, are likely not to benefit from our method.
We rely on your feed-back to improve the technique and the comprehensibility of the manual. Please take the time to provide a feed-back at: moritz@uke.uni-hamburg.de (Dr. Steffen Moritz).
Best regards,
Dr. Steffen Moritz & Dr. Lena Jelinek
*Literature:
Moritz, S. Jelinek, L., Klinge, R. & Naber, D. (in press). Fight fire with fireflies! Association splitting: a novel cognitive technique to reduce obsessive thoughts. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy