How long does one need to stay on antiobsessional medications?
It is unclear just how long patients should continue to take these medications once they have been effective. Some patients are able to discontinue medications after a 6 to 12-month treatment period. However, it does appear that over half of OCD patients (and maybe many more) will need to be on at least a low dosage of medication for years, perhaps even for life. In terms of reducing the need for medications, it is often helpful to learn to use behavior therapy techniques while doing well on medication, and especially if medication is reduced very slowly (even over many months). The behavioral techniques may enable patients to control any symptoms that return when they stop taking medication. Typically, after medications are stopped, symptoms do not return immediately, but may start to return within a few weeks to a few months. The vast majority of patients who relapse after the cessation of an effective medication will have a good response when they resume taking the drug.
