Paradoxical Intention and Anti-Exposure in a Non-Compliant, Obsessive–Compulsive Ritualiser

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Abstract
A woman with persistent obsessive-compulsive rituals showed limited improvement with exposure therapy, because of her refusal to comply fully with treatment and a lack of homework practice. She was negativistic towards therapists. Following a relapse, she was asked to try anti-exposure and to increase rituals. Paradoxically, this led to marked self exposure to the feared situation, and self-imposed response prevention, with resultant improvement, whereas anti-exposure instructions are generally anti-therapeutic in obsessive-compulsive disorder.