How to Treat OCD

What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to have certain unwanted repeated feelings (obsessions) causing him/her to behave in altogether different ways (compulsions) to neutralize obsessions.

OCD in Children
OCD in children may vary and children are diagnosed with OCD when they are seven to 12 years of age.

OCD Treatment
OCD treatment becomes essential when the disorder is seriously affecting the patient’s quality of life. However, it should be noted that OCD treatment helps relieve anxiety, but it does not cure the disease.

Different treatment options for OCD include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy, a special type of psychotherapy, forms a major part of OCD treatment to relieve symptoms.

• Psychoanalysis may be performed to analyze the patient’s fears.

• OCD medications are started after OCD tests are performed by a psychiatrist. These medications include the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine (Prozac®) and tricyclic antidepressants like clomipramine (Anafranil), which have been tested clinically with proven efficacy. OCD medication bring about improvement, when taken regularly.

• Certain herbs like St. John’s wart, Passiflora incarnate, and Valerian are used as OCD medication to relieve mental stress. But cognitive behavioral therapy is the best treatment for OCD in children.

For more information on OCD, see below:

How to Treat OCD

How to Help a Child With OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Top Drugs That Work

New Treatments for OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Latest Medical Breakthroughs

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Top 5 Symptoms