Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disease in childhood and adolescence. In about 60% of pediatric patients, the symptoms persist into adulthood. Treatment guidelines for adult ADHD patients suggestmultimodal therapy consisting of psychostimulants and psychotherapy.Many adult ADHD patients also suffer frompsychiatric comorbidities, among others obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The treatment of the comorbidity of ADHD and OCD remains challenging as the literature is sparse. Moreover, the impact of psychostimulants on obsessive–compulsive symptoms is still unclear. Case Presentation: Here, we report on a 33-year-old patient with an OCD who was unable to achieve sufficient remission under long-term guideline-based treatment for OCD. The re-examination of the psychological symptoms revealed the presence of adult ADHD as a comorbid disorder. The patient has already been treated with paroxetine and quetiapine for the OCD. Due to the newly established diagnosis of ADHD, extendedrelease methylphenidate (ER MPH) was administered in addition to a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. After a dose of 30mg ER MPH, the patient reported an improvement in both the ADHD and the obsessive–compulsive symptoms. After discharge, the patient reduced ER MPH without consultation with a physician due to subjectively described side effects. The discontinuation of medication led to a renewed increase in ADHD and obsessive– compulsive symptoms. The readjustment to ER MPH in combination with sertraline and quetiapine thereafter led to a significant improvement in the compulsive symptoms again. Conclusion: The present case shows that in ADHD and comorbid obsessive–compulsive disorder, treatment with psychostimulants can improve the obsessive–compulsive symptoms in addition to the ADHD-specific symptoms. To our knowledge, this is only the second case report describing a treatment with ER MPH for an adult patient with OCD and ADHD comorbidity in the literature. Further research, especially randomized controlled trials, is needed to standardize treatment options.

ERP larp is a live-action role-play game designed to make exposure and response prevention therapy for people who have obsessive compulsive disorder more accessible. Although it is not meant to substitute therapy, it is a self-help guidance that can be applied at home. The research and design combine studies regarding OCD, game design core loops, and larp studies and is an experimental game design. In-depth interviews, quantitative data from the playtester and autobiographic observations are applied to assess its effect on the playtester. The analysis demonstrates that ERP larp is successful in lowering the effect of OCD on the playtester by lowering their anxiety and improving their sense of agency / control. However, the results are not conclusive. It is a pilot study conducted with one playtester and as only two playtest sessions were conducted and data shows that the changes are not substantial. Future research and additional playtests are required to develop and assess the efficacy of ERP larp.

<p>We present the results from a series of experiments which support a novel hypothesis for a special motivational circuit underlying both the detection and response to potential threat, and the typical symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Szechtman and Woody (2004) proposed that the Security-Motivation System (SMS) has two primary responsibilities: surveillance of the environment for subtle cues that may indicate the potential for danger, and motivation towards avoidance of this harm through participation in appropriate behavioural motor programs. To determine the parameters under which the SMS operates, we designed and implemented several novel paradigms for examining both typical and atypical response of the SMS to potential threat in a number of populations. It was demonstrated that the SMS is specifically activated after exposure to cues that suggest the possibility of harm to the self or others, such as via threats to personal safety or contaminated objects. Once activated, the SMS can only be disengaged through participation in the appropriate motivated corrective behaviour – such as hand washing or checking for danger. Results showed that this essential termination feedback cannot be substituted with cognitive strategies, and that in the absence of these behaviours, activation of the SMS persists; the consequence of incomplete SMS termination strongly resembles the stereotypic compulsions in OCD. Indeed, results demonstrated that patients with OCD are unable to achieve satisfaction from task completion after corrective behaviour, resulting in continued SMS activation, after exposure to stimuli specific to the patients’ symptom profile. Our collective results provide a solid foundation for the view of OCD as a dysfunction of Security-Motivation, and indicate that the SMS is indeed an essential circuit for potential threat detection.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Gangmechanische Grundüberlegungen und skelettpathologische Erscheinungen, wie sie in der heutigen Pferdezucht bekannt sind, werden in die Bewertung der Reste von 42 Pferdeskeletten des sächsischen Gräberfeldes von Rullstorf bei Lüneburg einbezogen. Neben den üblichen Fragestellungen nach Alter, Geschlecht und Widerristhöhe wird erörtert, an welchen Knochenproportionen sich überhaupt Laufeigenschaften festmachen lassen. Dazu werden neben anderen frühmittelalterlichen auch rezente Populationen zu Vergleichen herangezogen, um eine nutzungstypologische Einordnung zu erzielen. Gelenkveränderungen der Rullstorfer Pferde werden in ihrer Ätiologie betrachtet und mit den Problemen an Gelenken heutiger Pferde verglichen. Nicht nur die reine Darstellung der Ausgrabungspferde ist ein Anliegen dieser Arbeit. Die Erkenntnisse aus den Knochenresten von Individuen längst vergangener Zeiten können auch bei der Aufklärung von Problemen heutiger Tiere einen Beitrag leisten. / Mechanics of movement and pathological signs of the skeleton, well-known in modern horsebreeding, influence the evaluation of 42 horse-skeletons of a saxon burial ground (Rullstorf near Lüneburg, Germany). Beside usual questions concerning the age, sex and wither height it is explored which proportions of bone-lenght are responsible for the character of movement at all. Horse-populations of the early Middle Ages and modern races are used for comparisons to look for the type of use. Joint changes of the Rullstorf horses are described within their etiology and compared with problems of modern horses. Not only the pure description of the excavation-horses is wanted for this paper. Rests of bones which belong to individuals of historical times can help to clear up the problems of our today-living animals.

<p>Alla har någon gång mot sin vilja fått en störande tanke på hjärnan. En skrämmande bild eller en känsla av att någonting är fel.</p><p>I den här artikelserien möter du personer vars tankar och beteenden inte stannat vid vanlig skrockfullhet – de har skenat iväg och blivit ett hinder för normalt umgänge med andra människor.</p><p>Läs om livet som tvångssjuk.</p>

This qualitative study explores the unconscious life of four children diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) specifically related to selfconcept, personality, and psychopathology using a case study approach. A review of literature on childhood OCD is presented and the study is located within a psychodynamic theoretical framework. Findings indicate that the children are emotionally maladjusted, with high levels of anxiety and psychopathology. They have low self-esteem and poor body images, mostly tending towards immaturity. Two of the children have personality disturbances (neurotic, hysterical personalities). All the children have disturbed superegos (harsh or neurotic). Although their symptoms are currently mild, and some have ceased, analysis suggests they have been repressed and continue to affect them. They are sexually preoccupied and conflicted due to the unsuccessful resolution of the Oedipus complex. They have poor impulse control and considerable anger and aggression (mostly overt). They experience their environment as unstable and frightening and have anxieties about physical injury and being watched. The boys have regressed sex drives and homosexual tendencies, and have not identified with their fathers. The girls have identified with their mothers but experience masturbation guilt and blocked sexual drives, causing anxiety and moodiness. The children are all highly defended and escape from feelings of helplessness, inadequacy, and isolation, and discharge anxiety and aggressive instincts by using the defenses of undoing, reaction formation, acting-out, fantasy (sometimes violent), projection, displacement, and intellectualisation. Their strong dependency needs suggest fixation in the oral stage of psychosexual development. They tend towards self-directed aggression and depression. Most have family histories of mood disorders (particularly depression), and obsessions linked to fears of economic hardship due to parental illness or death. Most have histories of anxiety disorders or anxiety-related problems, and family histories of anxiety disorders and/paternal OCD. They all experienced a personally traumatic event precipitating the onset of OCD.

INTRODUÇÃO Segundo a 4ª edição do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 2002), o Transtorno Obsessivo- Compulsivo (TOC) caracteriza-se por obsessões e/ou compulsões recorrentes que interferem substancialmente com o funcionamento cotidiano. Ainda que a Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental em Grupo (TCCG) tenha sido efetiva nos estudos de pacientes com TOC (Cordioli et al., 2003; Braga et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2006), quase um terço (30%) dos pacientes não se beneficiou do tratamento em grupo nos mesmos estudos. A Entrevista Motivacional (EM) e o Mapeamento Cognitivo (MC) têm sido usados para melhorar os resultados de tratamentos. OBJETIVOS O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de se acrescentar duas sessões individuais de EM+MC a 12 semanas de TCCG na resposta ao tratamento dos pacientes com TOC, quando comparados apenas à TCCG. MÉTODOS Noventa e três pacientes adultos, com diagnóstico de TOC de acordo com os critérios do DSM-IV, participaram de um ensaio clínico randomizado de 14 semanas: 48 pacientes foram alocados à condição de duas sessões individuais de EM+MC seguidas de 12 semanas de TCCG e 45 receberam duas sessões individuais informativas seguidas da TCCG. Para a avaliação dos resultados foi utilizada a escala Yale-Brown de Sintomas Obsessivo-Compulsivos (Y-BOCS) como medida de desfecho primária. Como medidas de desfecho secundárias utilizou-se: a escala de Impressão Clínica Global (CGI) e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI), bem como a proporção de respondedores (definida como melhora [redução na Y-BOCS 35%] ou não-melhora [redução 35% na Y-BOCS]) e o percentual de pacientes com remissão parcial (Y-BOCS 35%, mas com escore total >8 e CGI 2) e remissão completa (Y-BOCS 8 e CGI < 2). RESULTADOS Quando os dois grupos foram comparados, ambos apresentaram redução dos sintomas do TOC. No entanto, a redução e remissão dos sintomas foram significativamente maiores no grupo da EM+MC seguido da TCCG. Além disso, os resultados positivos foram mantidos após três meses de seguimento com redução adicional de sintomas. CONCLUSÃO Este estudo é o primeiro ensaio clinico randomizado que acrescenta duas sessões individuais de EM+MC à TCCG para aumentar a resposta do tratamento em grupo para o TOC. Apesar de algumas limitações, nossos resultados sugerem que acrescentar duas sessões individuais de EM+MC à TCCG pode aumentar a efetividade da TCCG na redução dos sintomas do TOC. Estudos futuros deverão investigar isoladamente os efeitos da EM e do MC como estratégia de potencialização no tratamento do TOC. / INTRODUCTION According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMIV; American Psychiatric Association, 2002), Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions that significantly interfere with daily functioning. Although group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) has been effective for OCD patients (Cordioli et al., 2003; Braga et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2006), almost onethird (30%) of patients did not benefit from this treatment. Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Thought Mapping (TM) have been used to enhance treatment outcome. AIMS The main goal of the present study was to examine the effects of adding individual sessions of MI and TM to 12 weeks of CBGT on the treatment outcome of OCD patients when compared to the CBGT alone. METHODS Ninety-three adult outpatients, with OCD diagnosis according to the DSM-IV participated in a 14-week randomized clinical trial: 48 patients were allocated to two individual sessions of MI+TM in addition to 12-week CBGT; 45 underwent two individual information sessions followed by CBGT. For the outcomes evaluation, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) was used as the primary efficacy measure. As secondary efficacy measures, the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the proportion of responders (defined as improved [reduction 35% on the Y-BOCS] or non-improved [reduction 35% on the Y-BOCS]) and the percentage of patients in partial remission (Y-BOCS 35% but with the total score >8 and CGI 2) and full remission (Y-BOCS 8 and CGI < 2) were used. RESULTS When the two groups were compared, both presented a reduction of OCD symptoms. However, symptom reduction and remission were significantly higher in the MI+TM CBGT group. In addition, positive outcomes were maintained at the 3-month follow-up with additional symptom reduction. CONCLUSION This study is the first randomized clinical trial which adds individual sessions of MI+TM to CBGT to improve the outcome of group treatment for OCD. Despite some limitations, our results suggest that adding MI+TM to CBGT can enhance the CBGT effectiveness in reducing OCD symptoms. Future studies should investigate the effect of the MI and the TM alone as an augmentation strategy for OCD treatment.

Alla har någon gång mot sin vilja fått en störande tanke på hjärnan. En skrämmande bild eller en känsla av att någonting är fel. I den här artikelserien möter du personer vars tankar och beteenden inte stannat vid vanlig skrockfullhet – de har skenat iväg och blivit ett hinder för normalt umgänge med andra människor. Läs om livet som tvångssjuk.

INTRODUÇÃO Segundo a 4ª edição do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 2002), o Transtorno Obsessivo- Compulsivo (TOC) caracteriza-se por obsessões e/ou compulsões recorrentes que interferem substancialmente com o funcionamento cotidiano. Ainda que a Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental em Grupo (TCCG) tenha sido efetiva nos estudos de pacientes com TOC (Cordioli et al., 2003; Braga et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2006), quase um terço (30%) dos pacientes não se beneficiou do tratamento em grupo nos mesmos estudos. A Entrevista Motivacional (EM) e o Mapeamento Cognitivo (MC) têm sido usados para melhorar os resultados de tratamentos. OBJETIVOS O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de se acrescentar duas sessões individuais de EM+MC a 12 semanas de TCCG na resposta ao tratamento dos pacientes com TOC, quando comparados apenas à TCCG. MÉTODOS Noventa e três pacientes adultos, com diagnóstico de TOC de acordo com os critérios do DSM-IV, participaram de um ensaio clínico randomizado de 14 semanas: 48 pacientes foram alocados à condição de duas sessões individuais de EM+MC seguidas de 12 semanas de TCCG e 45 receberam duas sessões individuais informativas seguidas da TCCG. Para a avaliação dos resultados foi utilizada a escala Yale-Brown de Sintomas Obsessivo-Compulsivos (Y-BOCS) como medida de desfecho primária. Como medidas de desfecho secundárias utilizou-se: a escala de Impressão Clínica Global (CGI) e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI), bem como a proporção de respondedores (definida como melhora [redução na Y-BOCS 35%] ou não-melhora [redução 35% na Y-BOCS]) e o percentual de pacientes com remissão parcial (Y-BOCS 35%, mas com escore total >8 e CGI 2) e remissão completa (Y-BOCS 8 e CGI < 2). RESULTADOS Quando os dois grupos foram comparados, ambos apresentaram redução dos sintomas do TOC. No entanto, a redução e remissão dos sintomas foram significativamente maiores no grupo da EM+MC seguido da TCCG. Além disso, os resultados positivos foram mantidos após três meses de seguimento com redução adicional de sintomas. CONCLUSÃO Este estudo é o primeiro ensaio clinico randomizado que acrescenta duas sessões individuais de EM+MC à TCCG para aumentar a resposta do tratamento em grupo para o TOC. Apesar de algumas limitações, nossos resultados sugerem que acrescentar duas sessões individuais de EM+MC à TCCG pode aumentar a efetividade da TCCG na redução dos sintomas do TOC. Estudos futuros deverão investigar isoladamente os efeitos da EM e do MC como estratégia de potencialização no tratamento do TOC. / INTRODUCTION According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMIV; American Psychiatric Association, 2002), Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions that significantly interfere with daily functioning. Although group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) has been effective for OCD patients (Cordioli et al., 2003; Braga et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2006), almost onethird (30%) of patients did not benefit from this treatment. Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Thought Mapping (TM) have been used to enhance treatment outcome. AIMS The main goal of the present study was to examine the effects of adding individual sessions of MI and TM to 12 weeks of CBGT on the treatment outcome of OCD patients when compared to the CBGT alone. METHODS Ninety-three adult outpatients, with OCD diagnosis according to the DSM-IV participated in a 14-week randomized clinical trial: 48 patients were allocated to two individual sessions of MI+TM in addition to 12-week CBGT; 45 underwent two individual information sessions followed by CBGT. For the outcomes evaluation, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) was used as the primary efficacy measure. As secondary efficacy measures, the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the proportion of responders (defined as improved [reduction 35% on the Y-BOCS] or non-improved [reduction 35% on the Y-BOCS]) and the percentage of patients in partial remission (Y-BOCS 35% but with the total score >8 and CGI 2) and full remission (Y-BOCS 8 and CGI < 2) were used. RESULTS When the two groups were compared, both presented a reduction of OCD symptoms. However, symptom reduction and remission were significantly higher in the MI+TM CBGT group. In addition, positive outcomes were maintained at the 3-month follow-up with additional symptom reduction. CONCLUSION This study is the first randomized clinical trial which adds individual sessions of MI+TM to CBGT to improve the outcome of group treatment for OCD. Despite some limitations, our results suggest that adding MI+TM to CBGT can enhance the CBGT effectiveness in reducing OCD symptoms. Future studies should investigate the effect of the MI and the TM alone as an augmentation strategy for OCD treatment.

INTRODUÇÃO Segundo a 4ª edição do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 2002), o Transtorno Obsessivo- Compulsivo (TOC) caracteriza-se por obsessões e/ou compulsões recorrentes que interferem substancialmente com o funcionamento cotidiano. Ainda que a Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental em Grupo (TCCG) tenha sido efetiva nos estudos de pacientes com TOC (Cordioli et al., 2003; Braga et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2006), quase um terço (30%) dos pacientes não se beneficiou do tratamento em grupo nos mesmos estudos. A Entrevista Motivacional (EM) e o Mapeamento Cognitivo (MC) têm sido usados para melhorar os resultados de tratamentos. OBJETIVOS O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de se acrescentar duas sessões individuais de EM+MC a 12 semanas de TCCG na resposta ao tratamento dos pacientes com TOC, quando comparados apenas à TCCG. MÉTODOS Noventa e três pacientes adultos, com diagnóstico de TOC de acordo com os critérios do DSM-IV, participaram de um ensaio clínico randomizado de 14 semanas: 48 pacientes foram alocados à condição de duas sessões individuais de EM+MC seguidas de 12 semanas de TCCG e 45 receberam duas sessões individuais informativas seguidas da TCCG. Para a avaliação dos resultados foi utilizada a escala Yale-Brown de Sintomas Obsessivo-Compulsivos (Y-BOCS) como medida de desfecho primária. Como medidas de desfecho secundárias utilizou-se: a escala de Impressão Clínica Global (CGI) e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI), bem como a proporção de respondedores (definida como melhora [redução na Y-BOCS 35%] ou não-melhora [redução 35% na Y-BOCS]) e o percentual de pacientes com remissão parcial (Y-BOCS 35%, mas com escore total >8 e CGI 2) e remissão completa (Y-BOCS 8 e CGI < 2). RESULTADOS Quando os dois grupos foram comparados, ambos apresentaram redução dos sintomas do TOC. No entanto, a redução e remissão dos sintomas foram significativamente maiores no grupo da EM+MC seguido da TCCG. Além disso, os resultados positivos foram mantidos após três meses de seguimento com redução adicional de sintomas. CONCLUSÃO Este estudo é o primeiro ensaio clinico randomizado que acrescenta duas sessões individuais de EM+MC à TCCG para aumentar a resposta do tratamento em grupo para o TOC. Apesar de algumas limitações, nossos resultados sugerem que acrescentar duas sessões individuais de EM+MC à TCCG pode aumentar a efetividade da TCCG na redução dos sintomas do TOC. Estudos futuros deverão investigar isoladamente os efeitos da EM e do MC como estratégia de potencialização no tratamento do TOC. / INTRODUCTION According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMIV; American Psychiatric Association, 2002), Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions that significantly interfere with daily functioning. Although group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) has been effective for OCD patients (Cordioli et al., 2003; Braga et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2006), almost onethird (30%) of patients did not benefit from this treatment. Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Thought Mapping (TM) have been used to enhance treatment outcome. AIMS The main goal of the present study was to examine the effects of adding individual sessions of MI and TM to 12 weeks of CBGT on the treatment outcome of OCD patients when compared to the CBGT alone. METHODS Ninety-three adult outpatients, with OCD diagnosis according to the DSM-IV participated in a 14-week randomized clinical trial: 48 patients were allocated to two individual sessions of MI+TM in addition to 12-week CBGT; 45 underwent two individual information sessions followed by CBGT. For the outcomes evaluation, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) was used as the primary efficacy measure. As secondary efficacy measures, the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the proportion of responders (defined as improved [reduction 35% on the Y-BOCS] or non-improved [reduction 35% on the Y-BOCS]) and the percentage of patients in partial remission (Y-BOCS 35% but with the total score >8 and CGI 2) and full remission (Y-BOCS 8 and CGI < 2) were used. RESULTS When the two groups were compared, both presented a reduction of OCD symptoms. However, symptom reduction and remission were significantly higher in the MI+TM CBGT group. In addition, positive outcomes were maintained at the 3-month follow-up with additional symptom reduction. CONCLUSION This study is the first randomized clinical trial which adds individual sessions of MI+TM to CBGT to improve the outcome of group treatment for OCD. Despite some limitations, our results suggest that adding MI+TM to CBGT can enhance the CBGT effectiveness in reducing OCD symptoms. Future studies should investigate the effect of the MI and the TM alone as an augmentation strategy for OCD treatment.