OCD treatments
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a challenging but treatable condition affecting 1-2% of the population. Treatment options include talking therapy, medication and tailored support to suit your needs.
For people who struggle with OCD, intrusive thoughts, rituals and anxiety can be extremely challenging and may feel impossible to control.
Effective treatment is available for OCD. A stepped approach means that treatment begins with a short course of talking therapy which can be extended as required. This may be one-to-one with a therapist or in a group setting. Medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is also available alongside therapy.
Many people see a significant improvement in their symptoms with up to 74% seeing long-term improvement with the right treatment.
What does OCD treatment look like?
Treatment for OCD typically combines psychological therapy and medication. The aim is to help you manage your thoughts and behaviours, so these symptoms have less impact on your daily life.
Many people start with a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) technique called exposure and response prevention (ERP). It might sound daunting but it’s done gently and at an individual pace, with support every step of the way.
CBT for OCD
CBT for OCD is a talking therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected, focusing on when they become stuck in a cycle of anxiety and compulsions.
For someone with OCD, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) can be distressing and certain behaviours (compulsions) may feel like the only way to reduce anxiety. CBT helps you spot these patterns, challenge unhelpful thinking and gradually reduce the hold OCD has on your life.
This type of therapy doesn’t aim to get rid of your thoughts but instead helps you change your relationship to them so they feel less powerful. Over time, this approach can ease anxiety, improve day-to-day functioning and restore your sense of control.
ERP for OCD
ERP is a specific technique used within CBT that is especially effective for OCD. It involves gently and gradually facing the things that trigger your obsessions without doing the usual compulsive behaviours that follow.
For example, if you fear contamination and usually wash your hands repeatedly, ERP might involve touching something considered “dirty” and resisting the urge to wash.
This is done in a safe, supported way with a trained therapist. You start gently, build confidence and take it step by step. The aim is to show your brain that the anxiety passes on its own and that the feared outcomes don’t come true.
Over time, this helps retrain your response to intrusive thoughts and breaks the cycle of OCD. It can be challenging but it's one of the most effective long-term treatments available and you won’t have to do it alone.
Medication for OCD
Medication can be a helpful part of treatment for many people with OCD. SSRIs are a type of antidepressant that help regulate mood and reduce anxiety. Though they’re called antidepressants, they’re often prescribed for OCD even if you’re not experiencing depression.
SSRIs can help reduce the intensity of obsessive thoughts and the anxiety that drives compulsive behaviours. For some, they work best alongside CBT. For others, especially those with more severe symptoms, they might be needed before therapy feels manageable.
Medication isn’t a quick fix but many people find that symptoms start to ease after a few weeks and they can function better day-to-day.
What to expect in therapy
It’s completely normal to feel nervous when you start therapy – most people do. But therapy typically becomes easier as trust builds, and many people find it a relief to talk openly with someone who understands OCD and how it works.
Therapy for OCD is shaped around individual needs, but a typical session might include:
- Talking through recent thoughts, behaviours and challenges
- Practising techniques to reduce the urge to carry out compulsions
- Gradual exposure exercises (ERP) that are carefully planned with your therapist
- Learning coping strategies to use between sessions
- ‘Homework’ tasks to keep up momentum between appointments
Therapy sessions usually take place one-to-one with a therapist or psychologist but can also happen in a small group setting (if it’s appropriate and you feel comfortable). Therapy is offered in-person, online or a combination of both.
Therapists and/or psychologists deliver the CBT/ERP sessions and consultant psychiatrists may also be part of the treatment team to oversee any medication.
For people receiving inpatient treatment, specialist nurses or occupational therapists will help with daily routines and emotional support, while support staff offer guidance through day-to-day progress.
How long are therapy sessions?
Therapy sessions usually last for 50 minutes.
Do I have to do exposure work straight away?
No. This type of therapy is introduced gradually, when you feel ready.
Can I do therapy from home?
Yes. Many people find online sessions a flexible and effective option.
What if I miss a session?
We understand that life happens and sometimes sessions are missed. However, consistent therapy is an important part of the treatment, so we may be able to offer a different time or day to get you back on track.
Specialist OCD treatment in the UK
Standard outpatient therapy may be enough to make meaningful progress for many OCD sufferers. For others – especially when their OCD is more severe or has been present for many years – a more structured approach is needed.
At Priory, we offer both general and specialist care, including access to one of the UK’s only private inpatient services dedicated to OCD.
Intensive support at Priory North London Hospital
Our specialist OCD service at Priory Hospital North London is designed for people who:
- Have tried other treatments without success
- Experience severe or long-standing symptoms
- Need daily therapy and structured support to move forward
Priory Hospital North London offers a supportive inpatient environment with round-the-clock care. What makes this service different from most is the tailored, multidisciplinary approach, with close support from experienced clinicians. This dedicated team of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists builds a tailored treatment plan around individual needs, offering daily therapy sessions and focused ERP work.
Not everyone will need this level of support, but for those who do, it can be life-changing. Our team can help guide you towards the approach that’s right for you.
rTMS for OCD at Priory Wellbeing Centre Harley Street
Priory Harley Street is among the few centres in the UK offering Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), a cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment option for people with OCD.
rTMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in OCD symptoms, aiming to reduce their severity over time. It’s particularly recommended when other therapies have not been effective enough.
During an rTMS session, a magnetic coil is gently placed on the scalp to deliver targeted pulses. Sessions may include 'provocations' which are controlled actions designed to trigger OCD symptoms. By activating relevant brain areas in this way, the effectiveness of the treatment may be enhanced.
Accessing OCD treatment
We know that asking for help can be a big step, especially when you’ve been waiting a long time or feel unsure about what to expect. In this section, we’ll outline how to access treatment.
Free support
Your GP can offer some first line support for OCD, offering you advice and treatment options as part of the NHS. However, these mental health services are often less specialised and can come with long waiting times.
It’s worth exploring free resources too. Organisations like OCD-UK and OCD Action offer support groups, helplines and information.
Private treatment at Priory
Take Priory’s free, confidential online OCD test to assess your symptoms in minutes and explore your next steps toward support.
If you’re considering private treatment, Priory offers fast access, a personalised approach and access to specific treatment settings. Our flexible, personalised care doesn’t need a GP referral.
Contact us today for a confidential conversation.
OCD treatment FAQs
How effective is OCD treatment?
The treatment you receive for OCD will vary depending on the type of OCD you're struggling with and how intense your symptoms are, but many effective treatments exist today.
Statistics show 50% of people who receive treatment for their OCD symptoms found that their condition improved.
How much does OCD treatment cost?
The cost of OCD treatment depends on the kind of treatment you need and the intensity of your treatment.
For mild symptoms, you may only need outpatient treatment, which can include day sessions and/or weekly therapist sessions. For more severe symptoms, you may need inpatient treatment, where you become a resident of a mental health treatment centre and participate in different therapies and mindfulness activities each day.
Does OCD get worse with age?
For some people, their symptoms can get worse as they get older, but for others, symptoms can stay the same.
There are lots of factors that can impact OCD, such as your home environment, school, and even your social life. These will all play a role in determining if your OCD will worsen. The age at which you get help for OCD will also impact whether your condition gets worse, stays the same, or improves.
What are some examples of OCD?
Depending on the type of OCD you're struggling with, your symptoms may differ.
However, some common traits include:
- Repeatedly checking plug sockets to make sure they're switched off
- Constantly washing your hands
- Counting
- Reordering and reorganising regularly
- Checking doors and windows are locked
- Needing regular reassurance
Can OCD come back after treatment?
There is no cure for OCD, but with treatment, it will become much more manageable.
As long as you continue to practise coping techniques that a therapist has taught you, and take any medication you've been prescribed, your OCD should be manageable and allow you to live a normal life.
