| How is OCD Treated?
OCD is a type of anxiety disorder, the most common of all the mental
disorders. Many people misunderstand these disorders and think people
should be able to overcome the symptoms by sheer willpower. But,
the symptoms can't be willed or wished away. There are treatments,
developed through research, that work well for these disorders.
Anxiety disorders are treated in two ways - with medication and
with certain types of psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk
therapy"). Sometimes only one treatment is used or both treatments
are combined. If you have an anxiety disorder, talk with your doctor
about what will work best for you. If you do choose psychotherapy,
make sure the therapist is able to provide you with medication,
if needed.
A number of drugs used for treating depression, called antidepressants,
have been found to help with anxiety disorders as well. Monoamine
oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are used, along with the newer selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other medicines include anti-anxiety
drugs called benzodiazepines and beta-blockers.
Treatment with psychotherapy includes cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT) and behavioral therapy. In CBT, the goal is to change how
a person thinks about, and then reacts to, a situation that makes
them anxious or fearful. In behavioral therapy, the focus is on
changing how a person reacts to a situation. CBT or behavioral therapy
most often lasts for 12 weeks. It can be group or individual therapy.
A special type of behavior therapy, called exposure and response
prevention, is often used with OCD. With this approach, a person
is exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts. Then, the
person is taught ways to avoid doing the compulsive rituals, and
how to deal with the anxiety. Some studies have shown that the benefits
of CBT or behavioral therapy last longer than do those of medications
for people with OCD.
Keep in mind that it can be a challenge to find the right treatment
for an anxiety disorder. But, if one treatment doesn't work, the
odds are good that another one will. Your doctor and therapist will
work together to help you find the best approach. New treatments
are being developed through ongoing research. So, don't give up
hope. If you have recovered from an anxiety disorder and it comes
back at a later date, don't think that you've failed. You can be
treated again. And, the skills you learned dealing with the disorder
the first time can help you in coping with it again.
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