Serotonin is an important chemical signal that brain cells use to communicate with each other, and it also impacts your emotion and mood. These medications work by raising serotonin levels in the brain. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs) were first developed to treat depression, but they can also be used to help treat OCD. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Tell your provider right away if you notice an unusual change in thinking or behavior. It’s important to know that FDA-approved OCD medications carry a boxed warning - the most serious FDA warning - because they may raise the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior, especially in younger people. Similar to medications used to treat anxiety and depression, these medications may take up to 12 weeks before people experience any improvements in OCD symptoms. These medications work by affecting different chemical messengers to help brain cells communicate better. What medications are used to treat OCD?ĭifferent medications have been researched to treat OCD. Medications can also be used to improve chemical signals within the brain and reduce OCD symptoms. CBT is a type of psychotherapy, or talk therapy, where mental health providers help people become more aware of their negative feelings through discussion and certain activities. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people change their mindsets and avoid disturbing thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. People may experience significant improvement with the appropriate therapies. However, there are several different treatments available to help you manage your symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for OCD.

Although we don’t know the exact cause of OCD, researchers believe that poor communication between different parts of the brain may play a role. It’s estimated that approximately 2% to 3% of people have OCD. OCD often first appears in children and teenagers. People with OCD may experience great anxiety and distress if they break away from these routines.

Having persistent thoughts that are disturbing or violent Repeatedly checking that things are done (e.g., doors are locked)īeing overly cautious that everything is clean However, people with OCD are not able to do the same - these thoughts linger.Įxamples of common thoughts and behaviors displayed in OCD cases include: OCD is a long-lasting mental health condition characterized by frequent thoughts or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or actions (compulsions) that people feel like they have to continue doing over and over again.Īlthough people without OCD may sometimes have certain intrusive feelings, they are usually able to recognize and move on from these disturbances. Here we’ll discuss how OCD is treated, compare the effectiveness of different medications, and describe the best way to reduce OCD symptoms. Regardless of how hard they try, these thoughts and actions are often uncontrollable and difficult to stop. However, these routines are not necessarily signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD).Ī person with OCD may experience persistent thoughts that can greatly interfere with their daily life. For instance, this may include making sure that their closet is entirely color-coded or their kitchen is consistently spotless. People may have certain habits or quirks that they frequently do.

Intrusive thoughts ocd or anxiety