At Modern Therapy Group, we understand the burden that OCD symptoms can place on everyday life. But we also know that better quality care begins with compassion, early diagnosis, and the right treatment plan. Whether you’re managing intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, or a more treatment resistant OCD case, support is available—and effective.
What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD?
Obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a chronic mental health condition characterized by:
- Obsessive thoughts – unwanted, distressing, and often intrusive thoughts or fears
- Compulsive behaviors – repetitive actions someone feels driven to perform in response to these thoughts
While many people experience occasional anxiety, OCD is a specific anxiety disorder recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. It can begin at any age, with the average onset often occurring in adolescence or early adulthood.
How OCD Is Diagnosed and Studied
OCD diagnosis is typically based on a combination of self-reported symptoms, clinical interviews, and standardized assessments. Mental health professionals use tools from the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to identify whether obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors meet diagnostic criteria and significantly interfere with functioning.
Because OCD symptoms can vary widely—from contamination fears to counting rituals to intrusive taboo thoughts—getting a diagnosis from a provider experienced in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is essential.
Once diagnosed, the journey to treat OCD is guided by ongoing research. Many placebo-controlled trials have helped shape today’s most effective treatments, particularly SRI medications like fluoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants like clomipramine. These clinical trials also test newer interventions for treatment-resistant OCD, expanding access to innovative therapies.
At Modern Therapy Group, we stay current with research-backed treatments so we can help clients reduce symptoms with confidence and clarity. If you’re ready to move forward, know that OCD can be treated, and you’re not alone on the journey.
Common OCD Symptoms
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition defined by a cycle of obsessions and compulsions that cause significant emotional distress and disruption to daily life. These are not simply quirks or personality traits—they are persistent, often debilitating symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder that require understanding and, in many cases, professional treatment.
- Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that create intense feelings of anxiety or discomfort. They often focus on harm, contamination, mistakes, or moral concerns.
- Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to obsessions, aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing a feared event. While these rituals may offer temporary relief, they usually reinforce the obsessive cycle and increase overall distress.
The most common OCD symptoms involve both obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions. These patterns go beyond everyday worries and habits, often consuming hours of a person’s day and interfering with work, relationships, or overall well-being.
Obsessions may include:
- Unwanted thoughts about harm, contamination, or perfectionism
- Fears of making a mistake, forgetting something important, or being “bad”
- Persistent doubt or mental images that trigger anxiety
Compulsions may include:
- Repetitive behaviors such as excessive washing, checking, or arranging
- Counting rituals, silent repetition of words or phrases, or mentally reviewing past actions
- Avoidance of people, places, or things that might trigger intrusive thoughts
These symptoms can vary in intensity and presentation, and they may shift over time. It’s also common for OCD to co-occur with other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Recognizing the difference between ordinary concerns and clinical obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is the first step toward finding effective treatment and restoring a sense of control.
Is There a Treatment Plan for OCD?
Yes—there are multiple treatment options that have been proven to help treat OCD and manage symptoms, even in treatment resistant cases. The most effective care typically includes a combination of therapy, medication, and support.
Common OCD Treatment Options
These current treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are designed to target both the symptoms and underlying mechanisms—such as disruptions in the serotonin system—that can cause individuals to feel compelled to act on intrusive thoughts.
While each person’s path is unique, the following approaches are among the most widely used and clinically validated ways to treat OCD and support long-term recovery.
1. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
A gold standard in talk therapy, exposure and response prevention is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps individuals face their obsessive thoughts without engaging in compulsive rituals. ERP helps retrain the brain’s reaction to distress, offering real, measurable relief.
2. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have shown strong results in treating OCD symptoms. These include fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and sertraline. For treatment resistant OCD, higher doses or atypical antipsychotics may be considered under supervision from a mental health professional.
3. Support Groups and Peer Connections
Organizations like the International OCD Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness offer support groups, education, and connection with others who truly understand the daily challenges of OCD. Sharing space with people who’ve walked the same path can be deeply validating.
4. Advanced Therapies for Severe OCD
In severe OCD or treatment resistant cases, other therapies may include:
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Deep brain stimulation
- Investigational treatments supported by the Yale OCD Research Clinic or National Institute studies
Additional Tools and Strategies for Better Quality of Living with OCD
Other supportive approaches can complement your treatment, including:
- A healthy diet and sleep hygiene
- Stress reduction and mindfulness techniques
- Reducing excessive concern about performance or perfectionism
- Exploring herbal remedies (with clinical guidance—note that there’s little evidence for effectiveness in OCD)
Your personalized treatment plan may involve multiple providers working together to target both symptoms and underlying mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety.
What About Treatment-Resistant OCD?
Some individuals continue to experience distressing OCD symptoms despite trying common treatments like therapy or medication. This is known as treatment-resistant OCD, and it’s more common than many people realize.
If you or a loved one feels stuck, it’s important to know: treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is treatable—just differently. New insights into brain regions associated with OCD, such as the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, are helping researchers develop more targeted interventions.
Treatment-resistant OCD may respond to:
- Tricyclic antidepressants like clomipramine, one of the earliest and most studied medications for OCD
- High-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective SRIs
- Combination therapies that pair SSRIs with antipsychotics
- Early studies on neuromodulation techniques like TMS or deep brain stimulation
- Adjunctive treatments, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy or tailored ERP with additional support
In some cases, symptoms are linked to co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or trauma, which also require targeted care. It’s not a matter of trying harder—it’s about finding the right care approach for your brain and your experience.
Modern Therapy Group specializes in helping individuals with complex OCD presentations feel empowered to explore new options and receive care tailored to their needs.
Understanding Related Disorders and Risk Factors
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as an isolated condition, but it commonly overlaps with other mental health concerns. People with OCD may also experience related disorders such as anxiety, depression, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or even tic disorders. These co-occurring conditions can significantly interfere with daily life and complicate diagnosis if left unaddressed.
In some cases, researchers have identified links between OCD and streptococcal infections in children, a condition sometimes referred to as PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). While rare, early intervention in these cases is critical.
Family history also plays a key role. Studies suggest that individuals with close family members who have OCD or similar conditions may be at higher risk, highlighting a genetic and neurobiological component that impacts brain regions responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation.
Recognizing these connections can help clinicians design a more holistic care plan that supports all facets of your mental health—not just OCD in isolation.
When Symptoms Return or Feel Unmanageable
Sometimes, even with care, symptoms return. This doesn’t mean treatment failed—it means your care may need to be adjusted. Treatment response is a process, and Modern Therapy Group is here to walk that path with you.
We specialize in helping individuals move through fear, shame, and uncertainty toward empowerment, knowledge, and sustainable healing.
Start Your OCD Treatment Journey with Modern Therapy Group
If you’re wondering, “Is there treatment for OCD?”—the answer is yes. And you don’t have to carry the weight of those symptoms alone. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, struggling with repetitive behaviors, or simply feel compelled to find peace for yourself or a loved one, help is here.
At Modern Therapy Group, we honor the courage it takes to seek support. Our clinicians work with individuals and families every day to provide current treatments rooted in compassion and science, including ERP, support groups, and medications that strengthen the serotonin system. No matter where you are in your journey, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be treated—and healing is always possible.
Let’s reduce symptoms, restore balance, and reconnect you with the life you deserve. Reach out today to begin your personalized OCD treatment plan with Modern Therapy Group.
Works Cited
American Psychological Association. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). APA, https://www.apa.org/topics/ocd.
Fineberg, Naomi A., et al. “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553162/.
Stein, Dan J., et al. “Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Integrating Models, Research Domains, and Therapeutics.” Comprehensive Psychiatry, vol. 55, no. 8, 2014, pp. 1511–1522. PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4143776/.
International OCD Foundation. International OCD Foundation, https://iocdf.org/. Accessed 17 June 2025.
Coles, Meredith E., et al. “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2024, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK607260/.
Costa, Daniel L.C., et al. “The Pharmacological Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Review of Current Evidence.” Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, vol. 153, 2024, 105416, https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S156652322500001X.
