Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Overview and standard treatment strategies

Phillip J. Seibell, Rebecca J. Hamblin, Eric Hollander

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric illness defined by the presence of distressing intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) and behaviors aimed at neutralizing those thoughts (compulsions). OCD is often chronic and highly debilitating to those who suffer from it, yet appropriate diagnosis and treatment are often not received for many years due to shame, stigma, and misunderstanding. First-line treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy in the form of exposure and response prevention (ERP), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or a combination of ERP and an SSRI. For treatment-resistant cases of OCD, a number of pharmacological agents have been explored as possible augmentation strategies. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and assessment and treatment approaches for OCD, including a number of exploratory augmentation strategies for refractory cases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)297-302
Number of pages6
JournalPsychiatric Annals
Volume45
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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