Which medication is indicated for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder
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Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be treated. The treatment recommended will depend on how much it's affecting your life. Show
The 2 main treatments are:
A short course of therapy is usually recommended for relatively mild OCD. If you have more severe OCD, you may need a longer course of therapy and/or medicine. These treatments can be very effective, but it's important to be aware that it can take several months before you notice the benefit. You can get treatment on the NHS through a GP. You can also refer yourself directly to an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) without a referral from a GP. Find an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) Find out more about psychological therapies on the NHS Psychological therapyTherapy for OCD is usually a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP). This involves:
The treatment is difficult and may sound frightening, but many people find that when they confront their obsessions, the anxiety eventually improves or goes away. People with fairly mild OCD usually need about 10 hours of therapist treatment, with exercises done at home between sessions. If you have more severe OCD, you may need a longer course of treatment. MedicineYou may need medicine if psychological therapy does not help treat your OCD, or if your OCD is fairly severe. The main medicines prescribed are a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). An SSRI can help improve OCD symptoms by increasing the levels of a chemical called serotonin in your brain. You may need to take an SSRI for 12 weeks before you notice any benefit. Most people need treatment for at least a year. You may be able to stop if you have few or no troublesome symptoms after this time, although some people need to take an SSRI for many years. Do not stop taking an SSRI without speaking to your doctor first because suddenly stopping can cause unpleasant side effects. Treatment will be stopped gradually to reduce the chance of getting side effects. Your dose may need to be increased again if your symptoms return. Side effectsPossible side effects of SSRIs include:
There's also a very small chance that SSRIs could cause you to have suicidal thoughts or want to self-harm. If this happens, contact a GP or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E). Most side effects improve after a few weeks as your body gets used to the medicine, although some can persist. PregnancySSRIs are not usually recommended during pregnancy, particularly during the first 3 months (1st trimester). This is because there may be a risk to the baby. However, exceptions can be made if the risk posed by a mental health condition outweighs the potential risks of treatment. Further treatmentFurther treatment by a specialist team may sometimes be necessary if you've tried psychological therapy and medicine and your OCD is still not under control. Some people with severe, long-term and difficult-to-treat OCD may be referred to a national specialist OCD service. These services offer assessment and treatment to people with OCD who have not responded to treatments available from their local and regional OCD services. OCD UK has more information about NHS Specialist OCD Treatment Services, including adult and child and adolescent services. OCD support groupsMany people with OCD find support groups helpful, as they can:
The national charities OCD Action, OCD-UK and TOP UK can provide information about support groups in your area:
You may want to visit the HealthUnlocked OCD forum, where you can discuss all aspects of the condition with others who have OCD. Video: Psychological therapies for stress, anxiety and depressionAnimated video explaining self-referral to psychological therapies services for stress, anxiety or depression. What are the best treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder?The most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and/or medication.
What class of medication is used for OCD?Research clearly shows that the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are uniquely effective treatments for OCD. These medications increase and regulate the concentration of serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. Seven SRIs are currently available by prescription in the United States: Clomipramine (Anafranil)
What is first line treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder?First-line pharmacological treatment for OCD
Meta-analyses of RCTs show that selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of OCD [16]. SSRIs are associated with many adverse effects but are usually well tolerated.
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