However, research is also very clear that particular proven forms of psychotherapy work much better than medication for OCD. A newly published review paper provides further evidence that psychotherapy outperforms medication for OCD.
The most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and/or medication.
Psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, is effective for many people with OCD .
Both SSRIs and CBT are first-line treatments for simple OCD. This means that one of the two is the preferred initial treatment for someone with OCD. Research has generally not shown either one to be more effective than the other. Both are effective in reducing symptoms of OCD.
OCD Treatment can be done without any drugs with treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and psychotherapy. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a behavioral issue that is associated with compulsions and obsessions.
The best way to put an end to the cycle is to practice exposure and response prevention. This means you “accept” the thoughts, live with the uncertainty, and refrain from engaging in compulsions.
The need for medication depends on the severity of the OCD and the age of the person. In milder OCD, CBT alone is often the initial choice, but medication may also be needed if CBT is not effective enough.
After further study, it is now possible to treat 40 to 60 percent of OCD patients using medication alone, and new information emerges as treatments progress, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Why might your doctor recommend taking medicine for OCD? Your doctor might recommend medicine if: Your symptoms get in the way of your ability to work and have relationships. Counselling has not helped control your thoughts and behaviours well enough for you to live with them.
How long does CBT take to work? When administered on a weekly basis, CBT may take 2 months or more to show its full effects. Intensive CBT, which involves 2-3 hours of therapist-assisted E/RP daily for 3 weeks, is the fastest treatment available for OCD.
The typical course of therapy, however, usually requires six months to one year—half a dozen to a dozen consecutive weekly meetings, then about three months of meeting every two weeks, then monthly meetings thereafter. This is all provided a person is suitable for outpatient (currently virtual) treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the effective psychological interventions for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), which usually involves 10 or more sessions.
Total severity scores are usually assumed to indicate the following levels of OCD: subclinical (0–7), mild (8–15), moderate (16–23), severe (24–31) and extremely severe (32–40).
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
People may also use SSRIs to treat mental health conditions that can cause intrusive thoughts, such as: OCD.
Left untreated, OCD can lead to other severe mental health conditions, such as anxiety and panic attacks, and depression. Untreated mental health conditions are also a significant source of drug and alcohol addiction. People will often turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the distress of an untreated mental disorder.
Some patients are able to stop their medications after a 6 to 12-month treatment period. It does appear that over half of OCD patients (and maybe many more) will need to be on at least a low dose of medication for years, perhaps even for life.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity. An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters a person's mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions) or the urge to do something over and over again (compulsions). Some people can have both obsessions and compulsions.
Experts aren't sure of the exact cause of OCD. Genetics, brain abnormalities, and the environment are thought to play a role. It often starts in the teens or early adulthood. But, it can also start in childhood.
Getting recovered takes time
Speaking from experience, I would say that the average uncomplicated case of OCD takes from about six to twelve months to be successfully completed. If symptoms are severe, if the person works at a slow pace, or if other problems are also present, it can take longer.
Vitamin B12 and folate are thought to be effective in OCD treatment due to their associations with neurotransmitters. Depending on their antioxidant effect, zinc and selenium can be used in augmentation therapy for OCD.