Benefit of cognitive behavioral therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders in Huntington's disease: a case report

Neurocase. 2022 Apr;28(2):188-193. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2022.2051562. Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Abstract

We describe the management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a Huntington's disease (HD) patient.Even with a psychopharmacological treatment to manage PTSD and OCD, psychiatric disorders remained in the HD patient. We proposed CBT essentially based on progressive exposure. The symptomatology disappeared shortly after starting the psychotherapeutical treatment and was maintained over time. We discuss the benefits of CBT on this patient considering the therapeutical alliance and the cognitive disorders.This clinical case gives positive impetus for future research concerning the non-pharmacological management of psychiatric comorbidities in Huntington's disease.

Keywords: Huntington’s disease; case report; cognitive-behavioral therapy; obsessive-compulsive disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease* / complications
  • Huntington Disease* / therapy
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / complications
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / therapy
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / complications
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome