OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Chat Support Group

Treatment for OCD

Clinical and animal research has provided information leading to both pharmacologic and behavioral treatments that can benefit the person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). One patient may benefit significantly from behavior therapy, while another will benefit from pharmacotherapy. Some others may use both medication and behavior therapy. Others may begin with medication to gain control over their symptoms and then continue with behavior therapy. Which therapy to use should be decided by the individual patient in consultation with his or her mental health care professional.

Treatments, which combine medications and behavioral therapy (a specific type of psychotherapy), are often effective. Several medications have been proven effective in helping people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, (you can refer to the medications link for those.)  If one drug is not effective, there are others that can be tried thanks to research on these medications. A number of other medications are currently being studied. A type of behavioral therapy known as "exposure and response prevention" is very useful for treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In this approach, a person is deliberately and voluntarily exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts, and then is taught techniques to avoid performing the compulsive rituals and to deal with the anxiety.