Dr. Christine Purdon: A Deep Dive on OCD

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While OCD is a generally a very recognizable form of mental disorder, there are many nuances and complexities with respect to both its treatment and diagnosis. Psychologist, professor & author, Dr. Christine Purdon, joins us for a deep dive on OCD in which we cover:  

• what OCD is and how it affects the individual and family members 
• how is OCD usually conceptualized from a cognitive behavioural perspective
• the developmental experiences that might predispose someone towards OCD
• genetic and temperament based risks associated with OCD
• the trajectory of OCD symptoms over the lifespan
• features of OCD to be aware of that don’t necessarily fall within the diagnostic framework but that would nonetheless be useful for clinicians to keep in mind
• the common types of OCD
• uncertainty as being a key challenge within the context of OCD
• differential diagnoses in the context of OCD
• OCD as a response to trauma 
• the current gold standard psychotherapeutic treatment for OCD 
• the role medication can and should play in treatment
• shortcomings of the CBT ERP model
• why individuals with OCD are unable/willing to trust their own judgment
• assessing and addressing attachment issues that are internalized in the OCD “voice”

Dr. Purdon is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and has expertise in the assessment and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in adults. She has practiced and taught cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) for over 20 years, has over 80 publications on OCD, anxiety & intrusive thoughts and, is certified by the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CABCT).  She provides psychological services through the University of Waterloo Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment Unsubsidized Psychological Services stream.  She is also Director of Clinical Training for the Clinical Psychology Program at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Purdon’s research interests include the persistence of anxiety and its cognitive manifestations, such as obsessions, worry, rumination, doubt, and behavioural manifestations, such as compulsions and escape/avoidance behaviours. She is also interested in how anxiety influences attentional and memory and is co-atuhor of the self-help book Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD.

https://uwaterloo.ca/psychology/people-profiles/christine-purdon