The four-day miracle treatment for OCD

Dylan Stoll | Health Editor

Featured Image: Overzealous cleaning, organizing, counting, and perfectionism are common symptoms of OCD. | Courtesy of Pixabay

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined as a “common, chronic and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviours (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.”

A surprisingly common, misunderstood, and rarely discussed psychological ailment, OCD has become a topic of interest lately due to a four-day cure-all program developed in Norway by Dr. Gerd Kvale and Dr. Bjarne Hansen at the University of Bergen.

The program, referred to as The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) takes on an unconventional approach by infusing a one-on-one, therapist-patient dynamic within a group setting, thus achieving the benefits associated with both.

As simplistic as the process may seem, B4DT has achieved incredible results. As stated on the International OCD foundation’s website, over 90 per cent of patients have “reliably improved,” and 68 per cent have refrained from regression. Amazingly, almost 70 per cent of all patients are fully recovered after a four-year follow-up.

With such promising results, it is of no surprise that Kvale and Hansen were chosen by Time magazine in October 2018 as two included in the “Health Care 50: 50 people transforming health care in 2018” collection. They were the only members representing the field of psychology, which is an achievement that will surely do wonders in directing the spotlight to shine on OCD.

All accolades aside, how does this miracle process work exactly?

For the first day of the program, patients are educated and prepared for the treatment itself. The next two days consist of prolonged sessions with a therapist to ensure that the patient becomes aware of all the micro-choices (choices that are associated with OCD behaviour) that they make. This gives the patient the opportunity to make choices that are not compatible with OCD.

As Kvale explained to Scientific American: “We encourage patients to pay attention to the moments when they feel the urge to start taking control to reduce anxiety or discomfort, and to use these as turning points for change.”

The next part of the program happens at the end of the third day. The family and friends of the patients are invited to a lecture where they learn how to best help make the lives of those with OCD easier.

As for the fourth and final day, time is dedicated to teaching the patients how to integrate their behavioral adjustments into their regular day-to-day lives, a process that should become normalized within three weeks after the B4DT.

Here at York, and any university for that matter, things often become hectic and overwhelming for the average student.

For those who have mental health issues, including OCD, accessibility options are available at York’s Student Accessibility Services. Students with disabilities who want to register for academic accommodations are encouraged to do so before their studies begin. The option is still available to those who have already started; however, their accommodations may be limited.

As for those who are unsure as to whether or not they have a disability, screening services are also available. All you have to do is fill out a Student Accessibility Services Screening Form, which can be conveniently completed online.