Treatment for OCD

​Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy treatment that involves examining how one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected. 

The “Cognitive” part of CBT looks at our mental processes and considering more helpful ways of thinking. The “Behaviour” part of CBT involves Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).  Sometimes principles of  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are also incorporated into CBT for OCD.

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The most commonly used medication for OCD are a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

These are many different types of SSRIs and a psychiatrist or medical practitioner is required to help select the right medication and dosage. Medications can help reduce the symptoms of OCD, as well as related symptoms of anxiety or depression.

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In Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the individual with OCD learns how to approach their feared situations (exposure) without doing any of their compulsions (response prevention). This is done in a graded and safe way, typically starting with less distressing obsessions and compulsions, and working up to tackling some of the more distressing situations. Sometimes ERP therapy is done without the “cognitive” component of CBT.
 

The above treatments have excellent scientific evidence for helping reduce OCD symptoms and are recommended in clinical guidelines.

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There are some other treatments that are being investigated, but there is not enough research yet to conclusively establish if they are safe and effective for OCD. This includes medical treatments (e.g., deep brain stimulation. electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation) and psychotherapy approaches (e.g., hypnosis, EMDR).