From symptomology to resilience: Case illustrations of recovery from OCD using CBT

ABSTRACT

Over the years, many researchers have studied outcomes of mental illness through deficit-based approaches such as vulnerability, suffering, and symptoms among individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Such an approach, though useful in the clinical area has failed to adequately explore positive adaptation among such individuals. The present study is a strength-based approach that aims to address this gap in literature by investigating how individuals despite the diagnosis of OCD, can display resilience and positive outcomes by leading a productive life. Resilience was explored by analyzing life experiences of two OCD patients who received Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) sessions. Resilience, challenges, and protective factors were examined using a semi-structured interview and Connor-Davidson’s Resilience Scale-10 after CBT sessions. Both participants displayed resilience through unique coping mechanisms derived from internal and external protective factors that helped them to overcome the symptoms of OCD and other challenges faced in day-to-day living. Resilience was exhibited through adaptation and improved life outcomes. Case study approaches may be useful in understanding unique resilience mechanisms in a variety of contexts, which are otherwise difficult to identify through large-scale surveys. Further, a discussion on future implications provides crucial insights for mental health professionals.

KEYWORDS:

• Positive mental health
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• resilience
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• case study approach

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participants for sharing their experiences, mental health professionals who were associated with these cases, and Rishi Kumar and Habib Ali for their generous assistance with proofreading.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

IITH/IEC/2018/12/02 provided by the Institutional Ethics Committee.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work is a part of the first author’s doctoral research that was funded by the Ministry of Education, India. The Institutional Ethics Committee certificate is dated December 11, 2018.