Psychoeducational treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A narrative review emphasizing family-based approaches

Table 4 The content of psychoeducational treatments

Topics covered	Details
Engagement	Engaging patients and families using a "no fault" or "no blame" approach attached to the illness
Information about the illness	Symptoms, signs, causes, course of the illness. Dispelling misconceptions about the illness. Explanations about the diathesis-stress model
Information about treatment of the illness	Medication and psychosocial treatment options available. The benefits of treatment. The efficacy of combined medication and psychosocial treatments. How to obtain treatment. Components of psychosocial treatments. Side effects of treatment. The possibility of long-term treatment. Need for treatment adherence and engagement. Expected outcome of treatment
Coping skills	Day-to-day survival skills. Self-management skills. Coping with negative feelings of demoralization, low self-esteem, isolation, helplessness, shame, and stigma
Problem-solving training	Identification of common problems such as medication refusal or disruptive behaviour. Clarification of causes and consequences of problem behaviours. Helpful strategies to effectively combat problems
Communication training	Awareness about negative emotions, distorted cognitions and disturbed communication patterns. Training in adaptive communication styles. Improving ways of providing positive and negative feedback
Improving support	Provision of practical support from professionals, self-help organizations, and peers. Promotion of social, recreational, and occupational contacts to expand the social network
Stress management	Education about the effects of stress on the illness. Learning techniques to reduce stress in patients and families. Adopting healthy lifestyles
Detection and prevention of relapse	Identifying early warning signs of relapse. Accessing resources to deal with relapses. Understanding that exacerbations and remissions are an inevitable part of the illness. Treatment cannot cure the illness but is effective in preventing relapses
Moving towards recovery	A stepwise plan arrived at by patients, families, and clinicians for reintegrating the patient into family and community life