Here’s the most important message about obsessive-compulsive disorder: it’s highly treatable. With the right approach, most people see a significant reduction in symptoms — even if OCD has dominated their life for years. Here’s how OCD treatment works.
ERP: the gold-standard therapy
The most effective psychological treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP), a specialised form of CBT. ERP works by gradually and safely exposing you to the thoughts or situations that trigger anxiety, while supporting you to resist the compulsion that normally follows.
It sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s powerful: by not performing the compulsion, you learn that the anxiety fades on its own and the feared outcome doesn’t happen. Over time, the obsessions lose their grip. ERP should be delivered by a therapist experienced in OCD.
Medication
SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) are the medications most commonly used for OCD and are well-evidenced. They’re often used at higher doses and for longer than in depression, and are prescribed and monitored by a GP or psychiatrist. Many people do best with a combination of ERP and medication. This is general information — your doctor will advise what’s appropriate.
When to involve a psychiatrist
A psychiatrist can confirm the diagnosis (OCD is often mistaken for anxiety or missed entirely — see do I have OCD?), manage medication, and coordinate care for severe or treatment-resistant OCD, or where other conditions are present. A GP referral enables Medicare rebates.
Getting started
You don’t have to keep living inside the cycle. Read about the signs of OCD and our OCD care, or book a telehealth appointment with a referral. Our online psychiatry service is available Australia-wide.
This article is general information, not medical advice. In a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000.