
Ocd medication trial#
If the patient's response to the treatment is inadequate, trial data suggest that higher SSRI dosages produce a somewhat higher response rate and greater relief of symptoms. The physician should discuss the risks and benefits with the patient.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-912481518-b764c20195694f1caf99e8dfe35b88ef.jpg)
There may be risks associated with taking a psychotropic medication during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Combined treatment is recommended for patients who have not responded to monotherapy, those with concomitant psychiatric conditions that respond to SSRIs, and those who want to limit the duration of the SSRI treatment. Patients who dislike medications and who are not too depressed or anxious may benefit from CBT (i.e., exposure and response prevention) alone.

An SSRI alone is recommended for patients who have previously responded well to a given drug or who are unable to cooperate with CBT. The physician should choose whether to use one or both of these treatments based on several conditions, including the nature and severity of the patient's symptoms, current medications, treatment history, and the availability of CBT. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and CBT are recommended as safe and effective first-line treatments ( Figure 1). The goals of inpatient treatment are to stabilize the patient, which generally takes several days to a week, and then transition the patient to a lower level of care.When beginning a treatment for OCD, the physician should consider the patient's motivation and ability to comply with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Patients are admitted into this level of care if they are unable to care for themselves or are a danger to themselves or others. Treatment is provided on a locked unit in a mental health hospital on a voluntary or sometimes involuntary basis. Inpatient – This is the highest level of care for a mental health condition.Clinics designated as “Residential” in the Resource Directory offer this level of treatment. Residential – Patients are treated while living voluntarily in an unlocked mental health treatment center or hospital.Several clinics designated as “Intensive Treatment Programs” in the Resource Directory offer this level of treatment. Partial Hospitalization – Same as the Day Program but patients attend the treatment at a mental health hospital.Many clinics designated as “Intensive Treatment Programs” in the Resource Directory offer this level of treatment. Day Program – Patients attend treatment during the day (typically group and individual therapy) at a mental health treatment center usually from 9am – 5pm up to five days a week.Clinics designated as “Intensive Treatment Programs” in the Resource Directory offer this level of treatment. Intensive Outpatient – Patients may attend groups and one individual session per day several days per week.(Most Therapists in the Resource Directory as well as “Specialty Outpatient Clinics” offer this type of treatment).

Traditional Outpatient – Patients see a therapist for individual sessions as often as recommended by their therapist generally one or two times a week for 45-50 minutes.In other words, START HERE! About 70% of people will benefit from ERP and/or medication for their OCD. Taken together, ERP and medication are considered the “first-line” treatments for OCD. Click here to learn more about medications for OCD. 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. Click here for help finding the right therapist for you. This means you visit your therapist’s office at a set appointment time once or a few times a week.
Ocd medication professional#
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.Įxposure 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. The most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and/or medication.
