Clinical Presentation and Treatment Trajectory of Gender Minority Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Sociodemographic representation in randomized controlled trials for anxiety-related disorders in the U.S.: A systematic review (1993-2023)

Cognitive behavioral therapies have been identified as evidence-based treatments for anxiety-related disorders. However, data supporting the effectiveness of these treatments have been largely collected from participants with majoritized identities, potentially limiting the extent to which they can be considered "evidence-based" for clients from minoritized groups. The current review examined sociodemographic representation and quality of sociodemographic reporting in randomized controlled trials for anxiety-related disorders in the U.S. between 1993 and 2023. We conducted a systematic literature review of U.S.-based randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavioral therapies for anxiety-related disorders, extracted data on sociodemographic variables, and rated quality of reporting. Data from 55 eligible studies (N = 4492) indicated that white and female identities were overrepresented relative to the U.S. population, with variables like disability status, sexual orientation, and religious identification consistently ignored. In addition, quality of reporting was generally poor (mean = 3.6 out of 10), with many studies failing to account for demographic variables in their analyses or description of study limitations. Publication year, sample size, and NIH funding status did not significantly predict gender representation (% women), ethnoracial representation (% white), or quality of reporting. These findings underscore the importance of critically evaluating to whom "evidence-based" treatments apply and increasing diversity of clinical samples, to ensure that evidence-based treatments are inclusive. Recommendations for future research, clinical implications, and limitations are discussed.

Emotion regulation and OCD among sexual minority people: Identifying treatment targets

Sexual minority individuals experience higher rates of psychopathology, such that sexual minority people are nine times more likely to receive a diagnosis or treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) compared to heterosexual people. Poor emotion regulation capacity is a risk factor for OCD, but little is known about sexual orientation differences in dimensions of emotion regulation and how dimensions of emotion regulation relate to OCD severity among sexual minority people. The aims of the current study include 1) comparing sexual minority to heterosexual people on OCD severity and emotion regulation capacity upon admission to treatment for OCD, and 2) examining emotion regulation in relation to OCD severity among sexual minority people. Participants (N = 470) were adults in partial hospital/residential treatment with an average stay of 59.7 days (SD = 25.3), including 22 % sexual minority people. Sexual minority people reported a lower emotion regulation capacity. Among the largest three subgroups (heterosexual, bi+, and gay/lesbian), bi+ individuals reported a lower emotion regulation capacity compared to heterosexual but not gay/lesbian people. Results suggest there are sexual orientation differences in emotion regulation capacity, and that bi+ people have the most difficulty with ER. There is a need for OCD treatment to directly target emotion regulation strategies and be affirming of sexual minority identities.

Does the network structure of obsessive-compulsive symptoms at treatment admission identify patients at risk for non-response?

Exposure and response prevention is the gold-standard treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), yet up to half of patients do not adequately respond. Thus, different approaches to identifying and intervening with non-responders are badly needed. One approach would be to better understand the functional connections among aspects of OCD symptoms and, ultimately, how to target those associations in treatment. In a large sample of patients who completed intensive treatment for OCD and related disorders (N = 1343), we examined whether differences in network structure of OCD symptom aspects existed at baseline between treatment responders versus non-responders. A network comparison test indicated a significant difference between OCD network structure for responders versus non-responders (M = 0.19, p = .02). Consistent differences emerged between responders and non-responders in how they responded to emotional distress. This pattern of associations suggests that non-responders may have been more reactive to their distress by performing compulsions, thereby worsening their functioning. By examining the association between baseline distress intolerance with other symptom aspects that presumably maintain the disorder (e.g., ritualizing), clinicians can more effectively target those associations in treatment.

Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients in Intensive Mood Disorder Treatment: A Comparative Examination of Clinical Presentation and Treatment Outcomes

Individuals who are transgender and gender diverse (TGD) are more likely to suffer from and to seek mental health services for mood disorders. Some literature suggests that TGD individuals, because of pervasive and systemic minority stress, may have more complex clinical presentations (i.e., psychiatric conditions and severity of symptoms) and may benefit from empirically based treatments to a lesser degree than their cisgender peers. However, research has yet to examine individuals who are TGD receiving treatment in specialized, intensive mood disorder treatment despite the propensity for them to be diagnosed with and treated for mood disorders. Using a sample of 1,326 adult patients in intensive mood disorder treatment (3.8% TGD), the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes were compared between patients who are TGD and cisgender. Contrary to previous research, TGD patients were largely similar if not healthier than their cisgender counterparts, including similar depression severity, quality of life, emotion dysregulation, and behavioral activation, and less severe rumination at admission. Despite similar to better reported mental health symptoms, TGD patients were diagnosed with more psychiatric conditions overall, including greater prevalence of social anxiety and neurodevelopmental diagnoses. Those who are TGD did not experience attenuated treatment response as predicted. Findings suggest that patients in intensive mood disorder treatment who are TGD may be more resilient than previously assumed, or supports may have increased to buffer effects of stigma on mental health, and emphasize the need to exercise discretion and sensitivity in diagnostic practices to prevent over-diagnosis and pathologizing of TGD individuals.

Examination of Outcomes among Sexual Minorities in Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

The first-line psychological treatment for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) is exposure and response prevention (ERP). As the first study to examine treatment outcomes for sexual minorities, it is crucial to examine: (1) how treatment-seeking individuals who identify as sexual minorities compare to heterosexual individuals in symptom severity at admission, length of stay in treatment, and (2) whether ERP is equally effective for sexual minorities. The current study explored these questions in an intensive/residential treatment (IRT) program for OCRDs. Adult participants (N = 191) completed self-reported measures of OCD severity, distress tolerance, and depression at program admission, in the first four weeks of treatment, and at discharge. No differences were found between groups for treatment outcome, although slight differences (non-significant) emerged at baseline for OCRD severity, distress tolerance, and depression. Sexual orientation was not predictive of OCRD severity at weeks 1-4, and number of days spent in treatment was not associated with sexual orientation. This is the first study exploring whether sexual orientation is predictive of treatment outcomes for individuals diagnosed with OCRDs. Results suggest that outcomes did not differ and participation in the program resulted in an overall improvement of symptoms regardless of sexual orientation, however several study limitations are discussed. Future studies should replicate these findings, attempt to collect a larger sample, incorporate qualitative feedback from treatment, and examine outcomes in gender minorities.

Call to Action: Recommendations for Justice-Based Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder With Sexual Orientation and Gender Themes

Gender and sexual minorities are subjected to minority stress in the form of discrimination and violence that leads to vigilance; identity concealment and discomfort; and internalized homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. These experiences are related to increased susceptibility to mental health concerns in this population. Historically, the behavioral treatment of sexual orientation (SO) and gender-themed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has inadvertently reinforced anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) stigma and contributed to minority stress in clients, treatment providers, and society at large. We present updated recommendations for treatment of SO- and gender-themed OCD through a more equitable, justice-based lens, primarily through eliminating exposures that contribute to minority stress and replacing them with psychoeducation about LGBTQ+ identities, and exposures to neutral and positive stimuli, uncertainty, and core fears. We also present recommendations for equitable research on SO- and gender-themed OCD.