Ocd Treatment

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder in which patients have intrusive thoughts that lead them to do repetitive behaviors to ease their anxiety. Treatment options for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, medication, and Psychotherapy can help the person suffering by reducing the frequency of compulsive behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also known as CBT, is an effective way for treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. CBT is the training of a patient’s thought patterns so that compulsive behaviors are no longer necessary. It is a long and difficult process to overcome one’s OCD behavior. One specific type of CBT is Exposure and Response Therapy. This treatment option deals with the patient having to confront what causes them anxiety and for them to not perform the compulsive action that eases their anxiety. Jeremy Katz, a writer for Men’s Heath talks about how Exposure and Response therapy is one of the most successful treatment options for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He explains how, “Repeated exposure to the source of the anxiety, the theory goes, will desensitize a person to it, robbing it of emotional power.” An example of Exposure and Response Therapy used on a patient is if the patient is a compulsive washer, he/she will be forced to touch toilets and will not be allowed to wash their hands. Another example of Exposure and Response Therapy is a patient was an obsessional fear of stabbing someone. He/she would be placed very close to knives for long periods of time. After Exposure and Response Therapy the patient would be able to stand behind someone with a knife in their hand. (Jeremy Katz 1)
Finding a treatment option for children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be difficult. There is evidence that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a highly effective treatment for children for OCD. Even though, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was originally used for adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder over the