Treatment (Medication/Psychotherapy)

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY

A type of therapy that is structured to show patients different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations so that they may feel less anxious and to avoid obsessive thoughts and compulsions.

ERP or "exposure and response prevention" is a type of therapy in which the patient is exposed to a situation that would normally make them anxious. They have to make a commitment not to react with their normal compulsion until their anxiety level decreases. When they are exposed and successfully avoid the behavior, this is called habituation.

MEDICATION

ERP

OCD can be treated (not cured) with anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications, usually along with therapy in order to treat both obsessions and compulsions.