Reviewed by
Kim Anderson, PhD
Dr. Kim Anderson is the Executive Director at Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center. She currently oversees clinical programming at both the Maryland and Ohio locations. Dr.…
How Can OCD be Treated?
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be managed with a combination of therapy and medication. Treatment helps ease emotional and physical complications of the disorder, so individuals can get back to living a fulfilling life.
Therapy
While medication is helpful for managing symptoms, therapy is often an essential component for recovery from OCD. The following are proven methods to manage OCD so it does not control a person’s life:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is rooted in the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interrelated. In other words, our thoughts can influence behaviors, our behaviors can influence emotions, emotions can influence thoughts, and so on. There are two main components of CBT: cognitive change methods (exploring how thoughts and beliefs influence our emotions) and behavior change methods (looking at how our behaviors in situations can trigger or perpetuate symptoms).
CBT provides patients with the awareness and skills to identify and modify dysfunctional thoughts, emotions and behaviors that are causing them pain or interfering with their quality of life. Once unhelpful or distressing thoughts and behaviors are identified, patients can begin to make changes to their previous assumptions, thinking styles and behavioral responses.
Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure & Response Prevention is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention designed to help people safely confront their fears and interrupt patterns of avoidance and anxiety. Patients are supported by trained therapists throughout the exposures. Exposure work has been found to reduce emotional distress and improve overall functioning.
OCD Treatment Options with Pathlight
Treatments for OCD vary, but patients seeking help through Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center (Pathlight) can find hope in recovery in our Residential and Partial Hospitalization Programs.
The OCD track is focused on supporting patients in managing triggers and experiencing success. It utilizes a specific form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy called Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) — an evidence-based treatment for OCD and other anxiety disorders. The specialty track includes OCD individual and group therapy, family therapy for ongoing support and education, and psychiatric assessments to modify OCD treatment plans.
With guidance from Pathlight's highly experienced therapists, patients learn and practice CBT skills, making gradual, systematic and sustained progress towards recovery from mood and anxiety concerns.
Learn More About OCD
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What is OCD?
OCD requires the presentation of both uncontrollable, obsessive, recurrent thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive behaviors that must be repeated over and over again (compulsions). It’s important to remember that OCD can look different in different people, but beneficial treatment is available.
Learn more about OCD, including the causes, symptoms and available treatment options.
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What are the Causes of OCD?
The causes of OCD are not entirely clear, but research suggests the following can be contributing factors: genetics, brain chemistry or abnormalities, and life events or external stressors.
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What are the Health Risks of OCD?
When a person doesn’t know they have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or they don’t know about methods of managing it, there can be health risks, such as changes in mental and physical health.
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OCD Treatment Options
Managing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is possible with a combination of therapy and medication that ease complications of the disorder. Patients seeking help through Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center can find relief in the Residential and Partial Hospitalization Programs.
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OCD Facts and Statistics
Obsessive compulsive disorder affects an estimated 3 million people in the United States annually (nami.org). For more statistics on OCD and other mood disorders, please visit our facts and statistics page.
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Do I have OCD? Take our OCD Test
If left untreated, OCD may become chronic and interfere with normal routines, schoolwork, employment and family or social activities. To identify if the symptoms you are experiencing might be OCD, answer a few short questions with our OCD quiz.