A person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder is not only confused but also disturbed and struggles constantly with his thoughts and repeated actions. He not only suffers himself but also makes his loved ones feel for him. But there’s nothing you can do for him other than refer him to a good consultant.
The good part is that the OCD condition is treatable, and there are two main methods known for the treatment of OCD. One is cognitive therapy, and the other one is medication. Medication alone doesn’t help you. But sometimes people need medication along with cognitive therapy.
What Is OCD? A Quick Overview
This is a thought pattern disorder. Suffering people have some specific thoughts that trigger them to perform a specific action repeatedly. But the thoughts don’t disappear from their mind or last for a very short span. And the person remains trapped in the thoughts and action, trying to find a solution or overcome. But the pattern continues, just making the condition worse.
The thoughts are called an obsession, and the repeated action is regarded as a compulsion.
Getting an OCD Diagnosis in the UK
Before choosing a treatment, it’s important to get a proper ocd diagnosis.
How to Get an OCD Diagnosis in the UK
The diagnosis includes various steps. First of all, you need to contact your general physician as soon as you start noticing the symptoms. And once he confirms it, ask him to refer you to a good specialist. Book a consultation with the specialist and get a complete assessment done by him. The detailed assessment is helpful for the correct therapy or medicine prescription.
After diagnosis, follow the guidelines prescribed by your consultant. Make sure that you keep practicing the suggested therapies at home as well.
Getting a clear diagnosis is key; it guides the right treatment for OCD. You may contact us at Pinnacle Therapy for professional guidance.
Two Main Treatment Options: Therapy and Medication
Research strongly supports two effective ways to treat OCD:
- Cognitive Therapy (especially CBT with ERP)
- Medication
Let’s explore each.
1. Cognitive Therapy for OCD
Cognitive therapy helps you vocalize your thoughts to get them treated. The phenomenon is simple: you do what you feel, and the problem lies with the feelings in OCD. This therapy helps you to distinguish the wrong feelings from the right ones and deal with those wrong feelings in the right manner.
What Is CBT and ERP?
- CBT helps you identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts.
- ERP exposes you to the situations that trigger anxiety without performing the usual compulsive behaviour.
For example, if you fear germs and wash your hands repeatedly, ERP might involve touching a surface perceived as “dirty” and not washing for a set time. This helps your brain learn that the anxiety decreases even without the compulsion.
Why Cognitive Therapy Works
Once you know your thoughts and how to deal with them, you can break the cycle of obsession and compulsion by telling your brain that there is no need to follow everything that you feel and cause disturbance. Once you do this, you will start getting less anxious about the OCD behaviour.
This is how CBT and ERP help you to shun your disturbing thoughts and come out of the fear.
What the Research Says
Studies show that CBT with ERP can reduce OCD symptoms by about 50-70% for many people. Some even reach minimal symptoms when fully engaged in therapy. It’s considered a first-line treatment in clinical guidelines worldwide because it targets OCD directly at its root.
2. Medication for OCD
Sometimes the use of SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) is unavoidable.
Common Medications for OCD
Some SSRIs often used in OCD treatment include:
- Fluoxetine
- Sertraline
- Fluvoxamine
- Paroxetine
- Citalopram
Clomipramine is helpful in some cases and is often prescribed by doctors.
How Medications Work
SSRI medicines are used to control a chemical in the brain called serotonin, which directly affects the affected person’s mood and is most of the time responsible for the condition called OCD.
Research Evidence
According to the research-based studies, some people suffering from severe stages of OCD not only recover from OCD therapy. They also need SSRIs for controlling their brain chemistry, especially the serotonin levels in the brain, which greatly affect this behaviour.
OCD medication, when combined with CBT, gives results for these people. And in more chronic cases, it might take several weeks for evident changes to appear.
Though medicine directly controls serotonin in the brain, it doesn’t cure the condition completely. OCD therapy in combination with SSRIs works best in these cases.
Cognitive Therapy vs. Medication: Which Is Better?
There is no hard and fast rule or set of preferences. The treatment for OCD depends on the severity and nature of the illness and the patient.
When Therapy Might Be Best
- You want tools to manage OCD long-term
- You prefer a non-drug approach
- You want to understand the thinking patterns behind OCD
When Medication Might Be Helpful
- Your symptoms feel very intense
- Anxiety makes daily functioning difficult
- Therapy alone isn’t enough
What Research Says About Combining Both
Sometimes serotonin levels in the brain are so high that it is difficult to control the condition with therapy only. And medication also only cures 40-60% of the symptoms, so such moderate to severe cases are treated by combining OCD medication with OCD therapy.
In other words:
For many people, the best treatment for OCD is a combination of CBT with ERP and an appropriate medication plan.
What to Expect in Treatment
Therapy Sessions
- Usually weekly, for several months
- Guided by a trained CBT therapist
- Homework exercises between sessions
Medication
- Prescribed by a GP or psychiatrist
- Regular follow-up to adjust dosage
- Gradual improvements over 6–12 weeks
FAQs
1. What is the best treatment for OCD?
According to studies, CBT, along with ERP, is the most supported one till now. But we cannot simply call something best or disregard the other one because sometimes medication like SSRIs becomes unavoidable. And cognitive therapy, along with medication, works best in some cases.
2. How to get an OCD diagnosis in the UK?
To get a diagnosis:
- Talk to your GP about your symptoms
- Your GP may refer you to a mental health specialist
- You’ll have a detailed assessment
- The clinician will decide whether it’s OCD and recommend treatment steps
3. What types of medications are commonly prescribed for OCD?
Common medications include SSRIs such as:
- Fluoxetine
- Sertraline
- Fluvoxamine
- Paroxetine
- Citalopram
In some cases, Clomipramine may also be prescribed. These medications help balance serotonin and reduce OCD symptoms.
Final Thoughts
OCD is treatable; you just need to get in contact with an experienced person. They might suggest you try therapy alone, or sometimes therapies are combined with medication to yield good results. Medication alone is not the solution.
If you or anyone near you is suffering from this condition, you should not waste anymore time and get in touch with a good consultant. If you don’t know, feel free to reach out to us at our official website.
