From the Guidelines
OCD symptoms are characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions, which are repetitive and persistent thoughts, images, impulses, or urges that are intrusive and unwanted, and are commonly associated with anxiety, as noted in a 2019 study published in Nature Reviews Disease Primers 1. The symptoms of OCD can be divided into several categories, including:
- Obsessions, which are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety and distress
- Compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, often following rigid rules Common sets of obsessions and compulsions in patients with OCD include:
- Concerns about contamination together with washing or cleaning
- Concerns about harm to self or others together with checking
- Intrusive aggressive or sexual thoughts together with mental rituals
- Concerns about symmetry together with ordering or counting Avoidance is another key feature of OCD, where individuals might curtail a range of activities to avoid obsessions being triggered, as discussed in the study 1. The management of OCD typically involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) being a first-line treatment option, as they have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of OCD, according to the study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral Concentrate is indicated for the treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as defined in the DSM-III-R; i.e., the obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time-consuming, or significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent and persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) that are ego-dystonic and/or repetitive, purposeful, and intentional behaviors (compulsions) that are recognized by the person as excessive or unreasonable.
OCD Symptoms are characterized by:
- Recurrent and persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions)
- Repetitive, purposeful, and intentional behaviors (compulsions)
- Ego-dystonic obsessions and/or compulsions
- Marked distress, time-consuming, or significant interference with social or occupational functioning Sertraline is indicated for the treatment of OCD as defined in the DSM-III-R 2.
PAXIL is indicated for the treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as defined in the DSM-IV.
The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time-consuming, or significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning
Obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent and persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) that are ego-dystonic and/or repetitive, purposeful, and intentional behaviors (compulsions) that are recognized by the person as excessive or unreasonable.
Paroxetine is also indicated for the treatment of OCD as defined in the DSM-IV 3.
From the Research
OCD Symptoms and Treatment
- OCD is characterized by obsessions (recurrent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images or impulses) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels compelled to perform) 4
- Symptoms can manifest together or separately, and can be treated with various therapies and medications
Treatment Options
- First-line treatments for OCD include:
- Combination treatment, such as SSRI + CBT, may be more effective for severe OCD 4, 7
- Augmentation strategies, such as adding atypical antipsychotics, may be effective for individuals refractory to monotherapy with SSRI treatment alone 6, 7
Treatment Effectiveness
- Studies have shown that ERP and CBT can lead to significant symptom reduction and sustained remission 8, 5
- SSRIs have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms, but may have side effects and varying response rates 6, 7
- Combination treatment may be more effective than monotherapy, but may also have increased side effects and costs 4, 7