Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(OCD)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Generally, the disorder is diagnosed if the obsessions or compulsions cause distress, are time-consuming, or interfere with daily functioning. Sometimes, diagnosing OCD is difficult because a person with the condition performs their rituals or compulsions privately. Also, people with the condition may be aware that something is wrong but may feel afraid to seek help.
If OCD is suspected, the doctor may first perform a physical examination and obtain a medical history to help make the diagnosis.
Treating and Preventing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD can be treated with psychological therapy, medications, or a combination.
The main psychological intervention is cognitive behavioural therapy – specifically, exposure or response prevention (ERP)–that can result in a high success rate in motivated people with OCD, with very few relapses. Cognitive behaviour therapists deliberately expose you to your obsessions to encourage you to confront the accompanying behaviours. You are then prevented from carrying out the rituals. For example, if the ritual is to knock on a door five times before unlocking it, the therapist accompanies you and prevents you from knocking on the door, having you unlock it without knocking.
Therapy needs to be repeated frequently, over the course of weeks or months, until you are able to push aside the obsessive thoughts that demand the behaviour. As the compulsive thoughts become less frequent, the ritualistic behaviours should begin to disappear. At this stage, it is important to look for new compulsive behaviours that you might be developing to replace the conquered ones. New behaviours must be actively discouraged if they appear.
Behaviour therapy will only be effective if you are motivated and truly want to manage your condition. It helps you to learn different ways of thinking about and reacting to situations that make you anxious. Because it is challenging and can be demanding on both you and your family, family support is vital to help you overcome the condition.
Treatment using medications can also be very effective in the treatment of OCD. Antidepressants that affect serotonin brain pathways are very useful in controlling the symptoms of OCD. These medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine*, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, and the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine. It can take up to 8 to 12 weeks for medications to show results, so if you are taking these medications, it's important to be patient and to continue taking the medication as directed by your doctor and pharmacist.
Also, medications may work differently for different people, so it might be necessary to change medication or dosages until the right combination is found. Therapy with these medications is not a "quick fix" – people with the disorder need to continue to take the medications and actively participate in treatment to prevent a relapse. With time and effort, your strong desire to stop the behaviour, along with ongoing medical and family support, can help you overcome OCD.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder
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