The most effective treatment for OCD involves cognitive-behavioral therapy combined with exposure techniques to help patients tolerate anxiety and stop performing compulsive rituals.

“Cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy in the context of OCD, most often involves trying to get people to tolerate, not relieve their anxiety.”

Savannah Brymer recommends exposure and response prevention therapy over standard talk therapy for treating OCD.

“What works for OCD is ERP therapy or exposure and response prevention. So not standard talk therapy, which can make things worse.”