Volume 5, Number 4

Current Pharmacological Treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Alexander Bystritsky, MD

Dr. Bystritsky is Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Director of Anxiety and Treatment-resistant OCD Program, Neuropsychiatric Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.

Editor's Note

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a severe chronic condition which in its most extreme form results in seriously impaired and almost bizarre behavior. Various drug treatments have been tried and the SSRIs have been shown to have useful efficacy in this condition. A range of symptoms are helped by these drugs but relapse is often quite marked if the medication is withdrawn. However, behavioral treatments can be initiated and often help to control the disabling symptoms.

In this article the various medications are reviewed and treatment regimens suggested for management of this distressing condition. The author also deals with non-pharmacological strategies which include deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation and neurosurgery. The problem of treatment refractory patients is also addressed. The article concludes with a most comprehensive set of references dealing with this topic.

Download PDF