Understanding OCD that occurs in the context of complex trauma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Increasing Understanding of the experience of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder when it occurs in the context of complex trauma.
IRAS ID
236286
Contact name
Megan Wilkinson-Tough
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health problem where people feel anxious about thoughts that come into their head (obsessions) and repeat rituals to try and relieve this anxiety (compulsions). Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is the recommended treatment for OCD but this does not work for everyone. It may be that people find treatments less effective if they have experiences alongside OCD that effect their mental health problems and the treatment they need. \n\nThis research aims to understand how people experience OCD and psychological treatment for OCD if they have had traumatic childhood experiences such as abuse and/or neglect (known as complex trauma). Complex trauma is not the focus of standard CBT for OCD but research suggests that a significant proportion of people experiencing OCD may also have experienced complex trauma in the past, although there is limited research into how these experiences may relate to each other. \n\nWe plan to recruit 8-12 people to find out whether or not they believe complex trauma has affected their experiences of OCD and psychological treatment for this. We will firstly ask them to complete and return some questionnaires which will take approximately 30-40 minutes. We will then invite them to be interviewed about their experiences to gain an in-depth understanding; interviews will last a maximum of 1 hour. \n\nWe will ask clinicians in AWP Mental Health NHS Trust to share details of our research with service users who have a known history of complex trauma and who have received treatment for OCD so they can decide whether to participate. Participants will be over 18 years old, receiving treatment from AWP NHS Trust, have had current or past experience of psychological therapy for OCD, and be judged by clinicians to be sufficiently settled in their mental health to be able to participate.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SW/0261
Date of REC Opinion
14 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion