A Brief Insight About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5TR), involve a complex and heterogeneous collection of thoughts, behaviors, and their interplay obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder affecting approximately 1–3% of the population and it is characterized by the occurrence of either obsessions, compulsive rituals or, most commonly both. The disorder is rarely limited to a single episode or to recurrent episodes. It usually arises in late adolescence or early adulthood, although onset in childhood or late adulthood can occur. Cognitive theories of OCD developed from research showing that negative intrusive thoughts are common experiences. OCD symptoms are produced by specific beliefs that pertain to responsibility and perfectionism, namely that one has a personal responsibility for protection against harm and that one should strive for perfection. Although the concept of obsessive-compulsive related disorders was initially developed on the basis of the apparent similarity of symptoms of some disorders (e.g., repetitive thinking and repetitive behavior), its proponents assert that these disorders also overlap in their neurobiology, patterns of comorbidity, familial patterns, and effective treatments. First line treatments for OCD include both pharmacotherapy (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs – and, among the tricyclic antidepressants, only the serotonin reuptake inhibitor –SRI - clomipramine) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) – in the forms of exposure and response prevention (ERP) and/or cognitive restructuring.