The Role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

This study focuses on the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and in particular the effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) method will be examined. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition consisting of disturbing mental obsessions in which the person is excessively worried or unwanted thoughts or impulses are constantly repeated, and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviours to eliminate these obsessions. Compulsions manifest themselves as behaviours such as repeating certain rules, patterns or rituals, checking or cleaning a certain number of times. Individuals with OCD experience serious problems in their daily lives because of these thoughts and behaviours. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the person's inner experiences as part of the cognitive behavioural therapy approach. ACT aims to help the person to accept disturbing thoughts, feelings and physical sensations quietly and with understanding, and to cope with them in a more flexible way. Research shows that ACT is effective in reducing OCD symptoms and is therefore considered as an effective therapy option in the treatment of OCD. Furthermore, it should focus on how the integration and combination of ACT with other treatment modalities can benefit in the field of OCD treatment. In this way, more effective and personalised methods can be developed in the treatment of OCD patients.