In print and in its “Well” blog, the New York Times (10/14, D5, Brody) reports that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) “is often socially, emotionally and vocationally crippling.” But, when the condition is “properly treated, 60 percent to 85 percent of patients improve significantly and remain better for years, although booster sessions often are needed to maintain improvement.”
The most effective treatment technique is a form of cognitive behavior therapy called “exposure and response prevention…done once or twice a week for up to 30 hours total.” Patients with OCD may also suffer from anxiety and depression. Treatment is more effective if started sooner than later, and the condition will not go away on its own.
Related Links:
— “O.C.D., a Disorder That Cannot Be Ignored,” Jane E. Brody, New York Times, October 13, 2014.