Treatment
Disclaimer: I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist. I am merely laying out the information about some of the treatments available for OCD. If you are seeking any type of treatment, please consult a medical professional.
The most commonly used test to diagnose OCD and determine the severity of a patient’s obsessions and compulsions is the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Before administering the test, clinicians ensure that both the obsessions and compulsions are clearly defined. Both the clinician and patient need to identify not only the general obsessions and compulsions but also the specific fear driving these behaviors. After diagnosing OCD and determining its severity, a patient can undergo various treatments. The main treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that targets the neural circuitry responsible for OCD to help those who suffer from OCD recognize and alter their ways of thinking. CBT is most effective for OCD when combined with exposure therapy. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a type of CBT that focuses on gradually exposing patients to their deepest fears in a controlled environment. Contrary to other mental health treatments, CBT and ERP for OCD focus on identifying the patient’s deepest fears and gradually exposing them to these anxieties without allowing them to engage in their usual compulsions. While initially increasing anxiety, this exposure aims to interrupt the brain’s neural circuits, specifically the flow of information from the cortex to the striatum. By progressively revealing the source of their anxiety and resisting the compulsion to act on it, patients learn to tolerate their anxiety without performing their compulsions. To maintain progress, ERP often requires home visits and homework assignments. ERP requires time and commitment, usually involving 10–12 weeks of therapy, and is sometimes done alongside medication such as SSRIs. CBT and exposure therapy should be done under the guidance of a clinician, as the process intentionally raises anxiety. Unfortunately, not everyone responds to CBT.
Source: Sandstone Care
Antidepressants (SSRIs)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that target serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved in depression and OCD. SSRIs prevent serotonin reuptake at the synapse, increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain. SSRIs can take up to 8–12 weeks before any noticeable improvement in symptoms, and OCD often requires higher doses of SSRIs compared to the doses required for depression. While the serotonin system may not be disrupted in those with OCD, serotonin does impact cognitive flexibility, which is usually impaired in those who suffer from OCD. People sometimes take SSRIs in conjunction with CBT.
Source: SELF
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that alters brain activity using magnetic fields. During a TMS session, the patient will sit in a chair while a device is placed against their head. This device contains a wire coil through which an electric current generates a magnetic field. This field can target specific brain areas, including those implicated in OCD, and modify their activity. TMS is often used for those who do not respond well to CBT or medication.
Source: Neuromodec