OCD
Intrusive obsessional thoughts with compulsive behaviours that are hard to resist.
About this condition
Obsessive compulsive disorder involves unwanted intrusive thoughts, images or urges that cause real distress, and compulsions carried out to reduce that distress. Compulsions can be visible, such as checking or washing, or entirely mental, such as repeating phrases or reviewing memories. People with OCD usually know the thoughts are irrational, which does not make them any easier to resist.
The recommended treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention, often combined with an SSRI at a higher dose than is used for depression. Many people improve significantly. Where symptoms remain severe after adequate therapy and medication, specialist psychiatric care and, in some regions, a national specialist OCD service can be involved.
Treatments people usually try first
These are the treatments commonly offered in the UK for this condition. A specialist doctor will want to know which of them you have tried, and what happened.
- CBT with exposure and response prevention
- SSRI antidepressants, often at higher doses
- Clomipramine where SSRIs have not worked
- Antipsychotic augmentation under psychiatric supervision
- Referral to specialist OCD services
- Structured self help and family support
Could medical cannabis be appropriate?
People with this condition sometimes ask whether medical cannabis could be appropriate for them. That is a question for a specialist doctor, who will look at your diagnosis, your history and everything you have already tried before saying anything either way.
Medical cannabis is an unlicensed prescription only medicine in the UK. It is considered only where a diagnosed condition has not responded adequately to conventional treatment, and it is never a first step. We cannot tell you in advance what might be prescribed, and UK law does not allow us to describe or advertise any medicine on this website.
What we can do is assess you properly and be honest with you. If a specialist doctor does not think this route is right for you, they will say so, and they will explain why.
All treatment is subject to clinical assessment and eligibility.
Questions about ocd
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