OCD Treatment

Is OCD curable? Can OCD be cured without medication? Treatment for OCD. One of the two effective and safe ways clinically studied in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is SSRI group drugs and the other is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The American Psychiatric Association has basic principles for the treatment of OCD, including the following recommendations.

• If you are willing to do the necessary work and do not have major depression, CBT alone may be the first choice.
• If you are trying CBT but not getting the effect you want and you have severe depression or other anxiety disorders; Medication is recommended along with CBT.
• CBT is recommended if you are already on medication and continue to have problems with OCD, or if you want to stop taking the medication.
• If you’ve tried CBT and found it difficult and don’t want to try again, drug therapy alone is recommended.

The principles of CBT practice refer to CBT with a trained therapist rather than one that you practice entirely on your own. If your OCD problems are mild or moderate and not mixed with other problems; Even without the help of a therapist, CBT will make a real difference in your life. Of course, getting help from a trained therapist will provide much more improvement than going it alone.

OCD Treatment – Medication

SSRI drugs are safe and can be effective treatments for OCD as well. However, they tend to be less effective overall when compared to CBT. Your odds of responding to medication are about 50 percent. You’re also likely to see a 20 to 40 percent reduction in your obsessions and compulsions if you respond to medication. Most psychiatrists with knowledge of OCD can prescribe these medications. SSRIs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of OCD include:

• Paxil (Paroxetine)
• Prozac (Fluoxetine)
• Luvox (Fluvoxamine)
• Zoloft (Sertralin)
• Anafranil (Clomipramine)

It’s hard to say which SSRI is best for OCD, and it’s even harder to predict how beneficial these drugs might be for you. However, they are a suitable form of treatment. This treatment does not involve regular therapy sessions, exposure and response prevention work; Medicines do all this work in your body. But this convenience comes at a price.

While SSRIs can be helpful, they may not be able to completely relieve OCD symptoms on their own. In particular, you need to continue to use the drug in order to maintain recovery. Also, even if you have been using it for a long time, you will have to take the risk of relapse when you stop taking the drug. Another disadvantage is the side effects of SSRIs.

Side Effects of SSRIs

Everyone’s reactions to medications may differ slightly. For this reason, it is difficult to predict which side effects may occur for you. However, the common side effects are:

• Dry mouth. Sleep problems. Nausea. Anorexia.
• Constipation. Headache or Dizziness. Fatigue-Weakness.
• Weight gain. Sexual problems. Irritable legs syndrome.

You can also look: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

You may also be interested in this article: Obsessive Thought Disorder

You can share your thoughts, suggestions and experiences about OCD treatment in the comments section…