Public Perceptions of Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Despite the established efficacy of exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is commonly underutilized by practitioners due to misconceptions and fears about negative outcomes. However, it is unknown if the general population holds similar misgivings. The current study attempted to gauge public perceptions of exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder using a series of surveys and vignettes in an online sample (n =495). Half of the sample was unfamiliar with exposure and response prevention. Respondents rated exposure effectiveness below many alternate interventions, some of which have been shown to exacerbate obsessive-compulsive symptoms. In general, participants viewed the examples of exposure therapy as traumatizing, dangerous, unethical, and ineffective at treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. These views were consistent for exposures related to contamination, responsibility for harm, and unacceptable thoughts, but not for “not just right” experiences. These results highlight the importance of efforts to inform the public of evidence- based treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder.