Treatment - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be treated. The treatment recommended will depend on how much it's affecting your life.

The 2 main treatments are:

• talking therapy – usually a type of therapy that helps you face your fears and obsessive thoughts without "putting them right" with compulsions
• medicine – usually a type of antidepressant medicine that can help by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain

A short course of therapy is usually recommended for relatively mild OCD. If you have more severe OCD, you may need a longer course of combined therapy and medicine.

These treatments can be very effective, but it's important to be aware that it can take several months before you notice the benefit.

You can get treatment on the NHS through a GP.

You can also refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.

Find out more about talking therapies on the NHS

If you’re under 18, or want to get help for someone under 18, find out how to get mental health support for children and young people.

Talking therapy

Therapy for OCD is usually a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP).

This involves:

• working with your therapist to break down your problems into their separate parts, such as your thoughts, physical feelings and actions
• encouraging you to face your fears and have obsessive thoughts without neutralising them with compulsive behaviours; you start with situations that cause the least anxiety first, before moving on to more difficult thoughts

The treatment may be hard work, but many people find that when they confront their obsessions, the anxiety eventually improves or goes away.

People with fairly mild OCD usually need about 8 to 20 sessions of therapist treatment, with exercises done at home between sessions. If you have more severe OCD, you may need a longer course of treatment.

Medicine

You may need medicine if talking therapy does not help treat your OCD, or if your OCD is fairly severe.

The main medicines prescribed are a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). An SSRI can help improve OCD symptoms by increasing the levels of a chemical called serotonin in your brain.

You may need to take an SSRI for up to 12 weeks before you notice any benefit.

Most people need treatment for at least a year. You may be able to stop if you have few or no troublesome symptoms after this time, although some people need to take an SSRI for many years.

Do not stop taking an SSRI without speaking to your doctor first because suddenly stopping can cause unpleasant side effects. Treatment will be stopped gradually to reduce the chance of getting side effects. Your dose may need to be increased again if your symptoms return.

Side effects

Possible side effects of SSRIs include:

• feeling agitated, shaky or anxious
• feeling or being sick
• diarrhoea or constipation
• dizziness
• sleeping problems (insomnia)
• headaches
• changes to your sex life

There's also a very small chance that SSRIs could cause you to have suicidal thoughts or want to self-harm. If this happens, contact a GP or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E).

Most side effects improve after a few weeks as your body gets used to the medicine, although some can persist.

Pregnancy

SSRIs can be prescribed if you're pregnant or become pregnant, but this depends on whether your GP thinks the benefits outweigh the risks. Talk to them to help you decide what treatment is best for you.

It's important to look after your mental health during pregnancy as it can affect both you and your baby.

Find out more about help for mums with OCD on the Maternal OCD website.

Further treatment

Further treatment by a specialist team may sometimes be necessary if you've tried talking therapy and medicine and your OCD is still not under control.

Some people with severe, long-term and difficult-to-treat OCD may be referred to a national specialist OCD service.

These services offer assessment and treatment to people with OCD who have not responded to treatments available from their local and regional OCD services.

OCD UK has more information about NHS Specialist OCD Treatment Services, including adult and child and adolescent services.

OCD support groups

Many people with OCD find support groups helpful, as they can:

• provide reassurance and coping advice
• reduce feelings of isolation
• offer a chance to socialise with others
• provide information and advice for family members and friends

The national charities OCD Action, OCD-UK and TOP UK can provide information about support groups in your area:

• OCD Action support groups
• OCD-UK support groups
• TOP UK support groups