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Psychotherapy and medication management strategies for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Authors Walsh K, McDougle

Published 23 August 2011 Volume 2011:7(1) Pages 485—494

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S13205

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Kelda H Walsh, Christopher J McDougle
Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

Abstract: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic anxiety disorder. While medication and psychotherapy advances have been very helpful to patients, many patients do not respond adequately to initial trials of serotonergic medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and require multiple treatment trials or combination therapies. Comorbidity may also influence treatment response. The role of streptococcal infections in pediatric OCD has become an area of intense scrutiny and controversy. In this article, current treatment methods for OCD will be reviewed, with special attention to strategies for treating OCD in children and in patients with comorbid tic disorders. Alternative psychotherapy strategies for patients who are highly anxious about starting CBT, such as cognitive therapy or augmentation with D-cycloserine, will be reviewed. Newer issues regarding use of antibiotics, neuroleptics, and glutamate modulators in OCD treatment will also be explored.

Keywords: OCD, exposure/response prevention therapy, PANDAS, tic disorder

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