What types of treatment are available for OCD?
There are two treatments that have been proven effective against OCD: Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) and medication (primarily medications affecting serotonin). A combination of medication and CBT is often the most effective treatment for OCD. CBT consists of a technique called exposure and response prevention. It is effective for many people with OCD. You are deliberately and voluntarily exposed to feared objects or ideas (the exposure component), either directly or by imagination and then are discouraged or prevented (with your permission) from carrying out the usual compulsive response (the response prevention component). For example, if you are a compulsive hand washer, you may be urged to touch an object believed to be contaminated and then may be denied the opportunity to wash for several hours. When the treatment works well, the patient gradually experiences less anxiety from the obsessive thoughts and becomes able to do without the compulsive actions for extended periods. Stu
