Abstract: While OCD is one of the most commonly occurring
psychiatric conditions experienced by older adults, there is a paucity
of research conducted into the treatment of older adults with OCD.
This case study represents the first published investigation of a
cognitive treatment for geriatric OCD. It describes the successful
treatment of an 86-year old man with a 63-year history of OCD using
Danger Ideation Reduction Therapy (DIRT). The client received 14
individual, 50-minute treatment sessions of DIRT over 13 weeks.
Clinician-based Y-BOCS scores reduced 84% from 25 (severe) at
pre-treatment, to 4 (subclinical) at 6-month post-treatment follow-up
interview, demonstrating the efficacy of DIRT for this client. DIRT
may have particular advantages over ERP and pharmacological
approaches, however further research is required in older adults with
OCD.