Can ocd be cured with therapy

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be treated. The treatment recommended will depend on how much it’s affecting your life.

The 2 main treatments are:

talking therapy – usually a type of therapy that helps you face your fears and obsessive thoughts without “putting them right” with compulsions
medicine – usually a type of antidepressant medicine that can help by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain

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 talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.

Find an NHS talking therapies service

Find out more about talking therapies on the NHS

Talking therapy

Therapy for OCD is usually a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP).

This involves:

working with your therapist to break down your problems into their separate parts, such as your thoughts, physical feelings and actions
encouraging you to face your fears and have obsessive thoughts without neutralising them with compulsive behaviours; you start with situations that cause the least anxiety first, before moving on to more difficult thoughts

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.

Medicine

You 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 effects

Possible side effects of SSRIs include:

feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
feeling or being sick
diarrhoea or constipation
dizziness
sleeping problems (insomnia)
headaches
low sex drive

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.

Pregnancy

SSRIs 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 treatment

Further treatment by a specialist team may sometimes be necessary if you’ve tried talking 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.

Video: Talking therapies for stress, anxiety and depression

Animated video explaining self-referral to talking therapies services for stress, anxiety or depression.

Diagnosis

Steps to help diagnose obsessive-compulsive disorder may include:

Psychological evaluation. This includes discussing your thoughts, feelings, symptoms and behavior patterns to determine if you have obsessions or compulsive behaviors that interfere with your quality of life. With your permission, this may include talking to your family or friends.
Diagnostic criteria for OCD. Your doctor may use criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Physical exam. This may be done to help rule out other problems that could be causing your symptoms and to check for any related complications.

Diagnostic challenges

It’s sometimes difficult to diagnose OCD because symptoms can be similar to those of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia or other mental health disorders. And it’s possible to have both OCD and another mental health disorder. Work with your doctor so that you can get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Care at Mayo Clinic

Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-related health concerns Start Here

Treatment

Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment may not result in a cure, but it can help bring symptoms under control so that they don’t rule your daily life. Depending on the severity of OCD, some people may need long-term, ongoing or more intensive treatment.

The two main treatments for OCD are psychotherapy and medications. Often, treatment is most effective with a combination of these.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, is effective for many people with OCD. Exposure and response prevention (ERP), a component of CBT therapy, involves gradually exposing you to a feared object or obsession, such as dirt, and having you learn ways to resist the urge to do your compulsive rituals. ERP takes effort and practice, but you may enjoy a better quality of life once you learn to manage your obsessions and compulsions.

Medications

Certain psychiatric medications can help control the obsessions and compulsions of OCD. Most commonly, antidepressants are tried first.

Antidepressants approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat OCD include:

Clomipramine (Anafranil) for adults and children 10 years and older
Fluoxetine (Prozac) for adults and children 7 years and older
Fluvoxamine for adults and children 8 years and older
Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) for adults only
Sertraline (Zoloft) for adults and children 6 years and older

However, your doctor may prescribe other antidepressants and psychiatric medications.

Medications: What to consider

Here are some issues to discuss with your doctor about medications for OCD:

Choosing a medication. In general, the goal is to effectively control symptoms at the lowest possible dosage. It’s not unusual to try several drugs before finding one that works well. Your doctor might recommend more than one medication to effectively manage your symptoms. It can take weeks to months after starting a medication to notice an improvement in symptoms.
Side effects. All psychiatric medications have potential side effects. Talk to your doctor about possible side effects and about any health monitoring needed while taking psychiatric drugs. And let your doctor know if you experience troubling side effects.
Suicide risk. Most antidepressants are generally safe, but the FDA requires that all antidepressants carry black box warnings, the strictest warnings for prescriptions. In some cases, children, teenagers and young adults under 25 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. If suicidal thoughts occur, immediately contact your doctor or get emergency help. Keep in mind that antidepressants are more likely to reduce suicide risk in the long run by improving mood.
Interactions with other substances. When taking an antidepressant, tell your doctor about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, herbs or other supplements you take. Some antidepressants can make some other medications less effective and cause dangerous reactions when combined with certain medications or herbal supplements.
Stopping antidepressants. Antidepressants aren’t considered addictive, but sometimes physical dependence (which is different from addiction) can occur. So stopping treatment abruptly or missing several doses can cause withdrawal-like symptoms, sometimes called discontinuation syndrome. Don’t stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor, even if you’re feeling better — you may have a relapse of OCD symptoms. Work with your doctor to gradually and safely decrease your dose.

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using specific medications.

Other treatment

Sometimes, psychotherapy and medications aren’t effective enough to control OCD symptoms. In treatment-resistant cases, other options may be offered:

Intensive outpatient and residential treatment programs. Comprehensive treatment programs that emphasize ERP therapy principles may be helpful for people with OCD who struggle with being able to function because of the severity of their symptoms. These programs typically last several weeks.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS is approved by the FDA to treat OCD in adults age 18 years and older who don’t respond to traditional treatment approaches. DBS involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of your brain. These electrodes produce electrical impulses that may help regulate abnormal impulses.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The FDA approved a specific device (BrainsWay Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) to treat OCD in adults ages 22 to 68 years, when traditional treatment approaches have not been effective. TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of OCD. During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The electromagnet delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in your brain.

Talk with your doctor to make sure you understand all the pros and cons and possible health risks of DBS and TMS if you’re considering one of these procedures.

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Lifestyle and home remedies

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition, which means it may always be part of your life. While OCD warrants treatment by a professional, you can do some things for yourself to build on your treatment plan:

Practice what you learn. Work with your mental health professional to identify techniques and skills that help manage symptoms, and practice these regularly.
Take your medications as directed. Even if you’re feeling well, resist any temptation to skip your medications. If you stop, OCD symptoms are likely to return.
Pay attention to warning signs. You and your doctor may have identified issues that can trigger your OCD symptoms. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel.
Check first before taking other medications. Contact the doctor who’s treating you for OCD before you take medications prescribed by another doctor or before taking any over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal remedies or other supplements to avoid possible interactions.

Coping and support

Coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder can be challenging. Medications can have unwanted side effects, and you may feel embarrassed or angry about having a condition that requires long-term treatment. Here are some ways to help cope with OCD:

Learn about OCD. Learning about your condition can empower you and motivate you to stick to your treatment plan.
Stay focused on your goals. Keep your recovery goals in mind and remember that recovery from OCD is an ongoing process.
Join a support group. Reaching out to others facing similar challenges can provide you with support and help you cope with challenges.
Find healthy outlets. Explore healthy ways to channel your energy, such as hobbies and recreational activities. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and get adequate sleep.
Learn relaxation and stress management. In addition to professional treatment, stress management techniques such as meditation, visualization, muscle relaxation, massage, deep breathing, yoga or tai chi may help ease stress and anxiety.
Stick with your regular activities. Try not to avoid meaningful activities. Go to work or school as you usually would. Spend time with family and friends. Don’t let OCD get in the way of your life.

Preparing for your appointment

You may start by seeing your primary doctor. Because obsessive-compulsive disorder often requires specialized care, you may be referred to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, for evaluation and treatment.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, think about your needs and goals for treatment. Make a list of:

Any symptoms you’ve noticed, including the types of obsessions and compulsions youꞌve experienced and things that you may be avoiding because of your distress
Key personal information, including any major stresses, recent life changes and family members with similar symptoms
All medications, vitamins, herbal remedies or other supplements, as well as the dosages
Questions to ask your doctor or therapist

Questions to ask might include:

Do you think I have OCD?
How do you treat OCD?
How can treatment help me?
Are there medications that might help?
Will exposure and response prevention therapy help?
How long will treatment take?
What can I do to help myself?
Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have?
Can you recommend any websites?

Don’t hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

Do certain thoughts go through your mind over and over despite your attempts to ignore them?
Do you have to have things arranged in a certain way?
Do you have to wash your hands, count things or check things over and over?
When did your symptoms start?
Have symptoms been continuous or occasional?
What, if anything, seems to improve the symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to worsen the symptoms?
How do the symptoms affect your daily life? Do you avoid anything because of your symptoms?
In a typical day, how much time do you spend on obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior?
Have any of your relatives had a mental health disorder?
Have you experienced any trauma or major stress?

Your doctor or mental health professional will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your appointment time.