What is OCD?
Common Obsessions
-
Contamination
-
Losing Control
-
Harm
-
Obsessions Related to Perfectionism
-
Unwanted Sexual Thoughts
-
Religious Obsessions (Scrupulosity)
-
Other Obsessions
Common Compulsions
|
|
What Are the Most Effective Treatments for OCD?
The most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and/or medication. More specifically, the most effective treatments are a type of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) which has the strongest evidence supporting its use in the treatment of OCD, and/or a class of medications called serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SRIs.
Exposure and Response Prevention is typically done by a licensed mental health professional (such as a psychologist, social worker, or mental health counselor) in an outpatient setting. This means you visit your therapist’s office at a set appointment time once or a few times a week.
Medications can only be prescribed by a licensed medical professionals (such as your physician or a psychiatrist), who would ideally work together with your therapist to develop a treatment plan.
Taken together, ERP and medication are considered the “first-line” treatments for OCD. In other words, START HERE! About 70% of people will benefit from ERP and/or medication for their OCD.
Common Terms: Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): An evidence-based treatment approach for OCD and all other anxiety disorders. CBT is a type of treatment that helps people reduce symptoms by changing their behavior and thoughts. Exposure Therapy is a type of CBT. Exposure Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): An evidence-based treatment for OCD. Exposure therapy involves gradually facing your fears without compulsions, avoidance, or safety behaviors.. Exposure therapy is used for OCD, Social Anxiety, Phobias, Panic Disorder, PTSD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.. BTTI: The Behavior Therapy Training Institute is a training offered through the International OCD Foundation. Therapists who attend have received training and supervision in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP). See https://iocdf.org/professionals/training-institute/btti/ for more information OCD Specialist- A CBT or/and ACT licensed mental health therapist who may be a BTTI graduate or graduate of another reputable training program, treats a large percentage of OCD cases, has been supervised by an expert in OCD, and is experienced in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP). They generally have expertise in treating all anxiety disorders. Some OCD Specialists also have expertise in treating "OC Spectrum Disorders" such as Body Focused Repetitive Disorders (BFRBs), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Emetophobia, Avoidant Restrictive Eating Disorder (ARFID), and Hoarding Disorder. OCD Specialists are not "talk therapists" and do not use non evidence-based treatments for OCD (i.e. EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, "tapping," somatic psychotherapy, etc.) BFRB- Body Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorder. This includes hair-pulling, skin-picking and other similar behaviors. |
Virtual Support Groups
OCD Peers
Online support groups led by Peer Support Specialists and OCD Specialists Online support groups are $35 and Community Nights are $20. Groups include POCD, Harm OCD, False Memory OCD, Sexual Orientation OCD/ROCD, OCD and Dual Diagnosis, Responsibility OCD and Scrupulosity, Intrusive Thoughts, and OCD and Addiction. Additional topics will be added.
Family Support Group
Free online support group meets every second Saturday of the month. Led by Chris Tronsden and his mother, Elizabeth Tronsden. Email Chris for more information about the group
christrondsen@gatewayocd.com
Online Classes and Workshops
OCD and Anxiety
CBT School, Kimberley Quinlan,
Online Classes for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCD
Parenting Survival School by Natasha Daniels, LCSW
$30 per month to join online community and take part in classes
https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com/
How to Choose an OCD Therapist:
https://iocdf.org/ocd-finding-help/how-to-find-the-right-therapist/
OCD Specialist Provider Directory
https://iocdf.org/ocd-finding-help/find-help/
Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorder (Hair-Pulling, Skin-Picking) Provider Directory:
https://www.bfrb. Saw org/find-help-support/find-a-therapist