“Is there any medication to cure OCD?”
My sister is suffering from extreme OCD. Her behavior gets very irritating for others. While she is aware of her problem, there is little that she can do to help herself. Are there any medications that can help in treating OCD?
12 Answers
Yes, lot of medications are approved for it as well as psychotherapy specifically geared toward help with OCD
Yes, certain medications are quite effective for treating OCD. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) medications are the primary medications for OCD. Other classes of medications can be added as "boosters' to augment treatment response. The other treatment that is highly effective for OCD is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) using the technique of exposure and response prevention (ERP). Most people with OCD do best with the combination of CBT and medications.
The SSRIs are indicated for OCD but should be used in combination with psychotherapy
There are medications that are prescribed to help OCD, but the most lasting results appear to be with therapy. A book that is useful, even though years old, is The Mind and the Brain by Jeffrey M. Schwartz.
Tony Stanton, MD
Tony Stanton, MD
OCD is best treated with behavior therapy and medication; fluvoxamine and chlomipramine are high on the list.
Some SSRIs have modest benefits, but psychological therapies are complimentary.
The first medication is an older type of antidepressant Clomipramine, fairly effective with side effects, than most of the SSRIs like Prozac and then some of the newer antipsychotics as add-on if the first don't work alone. It is best to combine with a therapist who works with patients that have OCD.
Yes, there are medications that can help patients with their OCD. Encourage your sister to reach out.
In fact there are several medications approved by the FDA to treat OCD including fluvoxamine, sertraline and others. All are serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In severe cases, medications such as aripiprazole and Risperdal are used adjunctively. Despite these meds, there is no "cure" for OCD, but with medication and therapy, there can be a significant lessening of troublesome obsessions and compulsions.
Fortunately, there are medications to help in OCD and most patients get fully relieved from the symptoms if they continue to take the medication as prescribed. However, treatment takes a really long time and there is always a chance of getting it back if treatment is terminated.
Yes, FDA has approved medications for OCD and there are non-medication approaches to help with OCD as well such as therapy. I recommend that your sister seek psychiatric consultation to discuss her treatment options.
Yes there are medications, if she accept the facts, half of the problems are solved, then she may be willing for treatment., social support also will be helpful.
