How a Psychiatrist Evaluates and Treats Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a chronic condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that interfere with daily life. At Mental Health and Wellness Associates, our top psychiatrists frequently evaluate and treat patients with OCD. In this article, we discuss how OCD is evaluated and treated.

Evaluation of OCD

The first step in evaluating OCD is to conduct a thorough psychiatric evaluation. This involves a comprehensive interview and may also involve the use of standardized rating scales to assess the severity of OCD symptoms. During the evaluation, your psychiatrists will also screen for other mental health conditions that may be co-occurring with OCD, such as depression or anxiety.

Once a diagnosis of OCD has been made, your psychiatrist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses you specific needs and goals.

Treatment of OCD

The treatment of OCD typically involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first-line medications used in the treatment of OCD. We believe that these medications work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help to reduce OCD symptoms. Examples of SSRIs used in the treatment of OCD include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluvoxamine (Luvox).

In some cases, other medications, such as clomipramine (Anafranil) or antipsychotic medications, may be used in combination with SSRIs to improve the response to treatment.

Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered to be the most effective form of psychotherapy for OCD. CBT for OCD typically involves exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which involves gradual exposure to the feared situations and working with patients to help them to resist the urge to perform compulsive behaviors.

Other forms of psychotherapy, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or mindfulness-based therapy, may also be helpful in the treatment of OCD.

In some cases, a combination of medication and psychotherapy may be necessary to achieve optimal outcomes.

Conclusion

OCD is a complex condition that requires a comprehensive evaluation and an individualized treatment plan. With the right treatment, however, most people with OCD can achieve significant symptom relief and lead fulfilling lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. With the right treatment and support, it is possible to manage the symptoms of OCD and live a happy, healthy life.

If you live in the state of California and are looking for help, we would be happy to speak with you. If you are interested in becoming a new patient, please schedule a time to speak with our practice manager (using the "book online" button above) or call our office today.

References:

Abramowitz, J. S., et al. (2014). The treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 10, 243-257.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Goodman, W. K., et al. (2014). Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(7), 1-76.

National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml.