After reading some of the posts here I am concerned that many people are not aware of the most useful ways to treat and manage OCD. The majority of solid research shows that Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are the two most effective ways to help with OCD. Medication is also shown to be useful, but in the research that I have read, the gains from medication do not last as well once the medication is stopped.
If you think you have OCD, you should not suffer by yourself and you should seek out a therapist that uses ERP and CBT. This person can help you decide if that is truly your diagnosis and then educate and teach you about OCD and the proper, evidenced based ways to get better. It is very disheartening to see so many people "spinning their wheels" by going to people or trying things that are not proven to be effective. This creates more distress and worst of all HOPELESSNESS about ever getting better. In my experience as a therapist, when someone is treated with the correct or research based therapy they have such a better chance of improving. The gains that the client can make are so amazing and fast that it truly is wonderful to see. Of course OCD is on a continuum from very mild to very severe and that will affect the outcome, but please, please look for people and things that are at least backed by good research. So many more people can be helped, and we would see so much less suffering if people were to do this.
A very good website is the OC foundation: www.ocfoundation.org. They will tell you about all the latest research and what people should do to get the "proper" help.
I am a private therapist in Palo Alto, CA who works with a variety of people, including people with OCD and other anxiety problems.
I hope this was helpful,
Ernie
www.paloaltotherapy.com
