Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Symptoms and Diagnosis
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Long Term Outlook
- Panic Disorder
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Childhood Disorders
- Down Syndrome
- Eating Disorders
- Mood Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Phobias
- Somatoform Disorders
- Mental Disorder Articles
Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Like other anxiety disorders, cognitive-behavioral therapy is usually the most effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. The cognitive part means that it aims to make mental changes, modifying old thought patterns. The behavioral part means that it aims to curb unhealthy behavior. In this context, this means challenging both the thought processes that lead to obsessions (cognitive), and the compulsive actions that follow (behavioral). The treatment is often performed by a therapist, but there are many programs available for individual use.
Exposure and Response Prevention
The behavioral side of cognitive-behavioral therapy is put into effect using a method known as exposure and response prevention. Exposure is the first step. The participants are asked to put themselves in a situation that would normally cause a compulsion. For example, a compulsive checker may be asked to just check the taps once before leaving the house.
The goal is not to terrify the participant completely. The program will begin with less stressful situations, working up to harder ones. For instance, a person obsessed with dirt may initially be asked simply to pick up a newspaper. They themselves have judged this to be relatively easy in advance. Later on, perhaps they will handle money, or use the bathroom at work.
Exposure to a stressful situation will cause the participant’s anxiety level to rise, and they may become desperate to do their mental routine, wash their hands, check the light switches etc. This is where response prevention comes in. The participant is not to allow themselves the luxury of doing their compulsive behavior.
This may seem cruel, but the goal is to show the sufferer that anxiety levels do eventually peak, and then begin to drop away on their own. The body cannot sustain a state of high anxiety for more than about thirty minutes. The compulsive behavior is not actually required to remove the anxiety, and this is a most important lesson.
The Cognitive Side
Cognitive behavioral therapy also aims to change thought patterns. A program consists of several steps. Firstly, a sufferer must become motivated by recognizing that they can improve their life. Their compulsions are not serving them well, and this must be acknowledged. Secondly, participants learn to identify their apprehension about certain thoughts, objects, situations or images. Which are those that cause compulsive behavior to begin? Thirdly, they learn ‘coping statements’, designed to remind them that they are capable, and need not resort to obsessive behavior. Statements such as, “Things aren’t as bad as they seem” or “I can cope with this” may be recorded in a notebook so that they can be easily recalled. Finally, participants are taught to evaluate all progress, and to praise themselves on achievements and learning experiences.
Drug Treatments
Trials of serotonin reuptake inhibitors have had encouraging results for sufferers. Many sufferers report having fewer obsessive thoughts, and less drive towards compulsive behavior when on these types of medications. Anafranil has been shown to be particularly effective, and Prozac has also had encouraging results. Lithium may also be prescribed in conjunction with either of these drugs.
No pill, however, should be seen as a substitute for comprehensive cognitive-behavioral therapy. Drugs must be used together with psychological treatments to be truly effective.
All rights reserved.