Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disease characterized by anxiety-inducing obsessive thoughts and opinions, as well as compulsive actions are undertaken to relieve the obsessions. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a form of anxiety disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with OCD are motivated to perform repetitive activities, known as “obsessions,” by irrational thoughts and unfounded fears. People with OCD may know that their obsessions are irrational, but attempting to avoid or ignore them only adds to their anxiety and stress. The repetitions must ultimately be reinstated to alleviate mounting stressful feelings and anxiety. Depending on the severity of OCD, it has the potential to cause significant disability in everyday functioning. Since OCD is a chronic mental health condition, the care objectives should be centered around improving everyday symptom control.

While there is no cure for obsessive-compulsive disorder, there are treatments that can alleviate symptoms to the point where most patients can resume their regular lives. Treatment-resistant OCD does not seem to respond to therapies; however, all cases of OCD were once thought to be treatment-resistant. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Research, it is now possible to treat 40 to 60 percent of OCD patients with medication alone, and new information arises as therapies advance (NCBI). There are many well-established treatment options for OCD, each with its own level of effectiveness and potential side effects. Consult your doctor to assess the medication that is ideally suited to your symptoms and needs. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is a form of talk therapy that is used to treat OCD as a first-line treatment. CBT focuses on the emotions, feelings, attitudes, and physical responses associated with OCD under the care of a qualified mental health professional. Person, group, or family sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy may be used to treat OCD. Patients with OCD can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, especially a type is known as exposure and response prevention. This means introducing the patient to the dreaded obsession one step at a time. For example, if the patient is obsessive about cleanliness, they are increasingly exposed to dirt for longer periods of time. This helps the patient to learn new thought patterns and behaviors about their obsession with dirt. Although this form of therapy takes a lot of effort and practice, the reward is a much better quality of life for the patient.

DTMS

Deep TMS has been FDA-approved to treat OCD since 2018, owing to its potential to provide considerable relief to those suffering from the disorder. Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (DTMS) is a one-of-a-kind therapy that employs magnetic fields to safely, efficiently, and non-invasively penetrate brain structures linked to mental illnesses.

Psychosurgery 

In patients that do not respond to treatment or behavioral therapy, psychosurgery is used to relieve symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder:

• gamma knife 
• anterior cingulotomy 
• anterior capsulotomy

Therapeutic Methods

Intensive treatment programs are available. Some programs last only a weekend while others require a three-month stay at a treatment center. At these facilities, OCD patients undergo intensive individual, group, and family cognitive therapy every day. A specifically devised medication regimen is also used. Some of these therapies are carried out in:

• Residential and Inpatient OCD Treatment Centers
• Luxury OCD Disorder Facilities
• Executive OCD Disorder Programs
• Outpatient OCD Rehab and Treatment Programs

Prescriptions and Over-the-counter Medications

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has compiled a list of drugs that are widely used in medically assisted OCD treatment. Antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most effective medicines for obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Citalopram (Celexa)

Some of the common obsessions in this anxiety-related disorder are fear of germs or contamination, a need for order or symmetry, being hyper-aware of bodily functions, Fixating on taboo subjects, worrying about hurting others, and many more. Other compulsions include repetitive cleaning and hand-washing, being upset about variation in arrangements, performing tasks in a particular order, fear of losing important things, etc. What causes OCD is still unclear, but there is evidence that it may have a genetic component. Someone who has an OCD parent, sibling, or infant has a greater risk of developing the condition themselves. Trauma and a history of physical or sexual violence as a child are both risk factors for OCD. According to brain imaging research, people with OCD have structural variations in their brain pathways. While there is no cure for OCD at this time, there are choices when it comes to the right treatment for extreme OCD.