How to Get Treatment for OCD

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder can reduce its severity. Treatment comprises a combination of professional counseling and medicine.

Step 1: Get diagnosis Get a diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination from your doctor.
Step 2: Get mental health assessment Get a mental health assessment that will evaluate your ability to think, reason, and remember, and will assess your emotional functioning.
TIP: Tests may include a written and verbal test, blood and urine tests, and an assessment of your mood and ability to express yourself.
Step 3: Receive therapy Receive exposure and response prevention therapy. With therapy, you expose yourself to an obsession, and then deny yourself compulsive gratification.
Step 4: Receive cognitive therapy Receive cognitive behavior therapy if you need to overcome beliefs pertaining to fear and contamination.
Step 5: Get antidepressants Ask your doctor about antidepressant medication.
Step 6: Receive brain stimulation Receive brain stimulation therapy, which involves stimulating your brain directly with electricity, magnets, or implants to help with depression.
Step 7: Avoid relapse Avoid relapses by taking medication and maintaining regular therapy sessions.
FACT: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 2.2 million Americans aged 18 or older have OCD.