Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – What Are the Success Rates?

The treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder has been known to be highly effective. Reducing the incidence of both the obsessive thought as well as the compulsive behavior performed to relieve that thought leads to the successful treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Statistics show that the best long term treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder is made up of behavior therapy plus medication.

Whatever you opt for, remember that the success rate for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder is a factor of time and dedication.

Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – General Success Rates Before the circa 1980 studies on the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, it was regarded as relatively rare with a poor treatment success rate. Today, it's not only recognized as being more common but highly treatable as well.

The numbers of OCD patients who respond to treatment have registered lows around the 60% level to highs around 80% or better.

Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Therapy Success Rates Whether drugs are used or not, the average time before results are observed from behavior therapy under professional supervision ranges from 10-20 hours.

Response/prevention treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder was found in some studies to be effective in more than 80% of patients. This good success rate has led to the creation of telephone access programs for OCD patients.

There's even a program that gives the patient computer generated prevention therapy, which also allows him/her to track progress.

The goal of therapy is to make the patient truly understand that when an obsession isn't catered to it will, eventually, go away — and the obsessive compulsive disorder with it.

Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Relaxation Success Rates Examples of relaxation techniques are self-talk, breathing, exercise, meditation, and prayer. Research has shown that success rates for relaxation techniques ranges from 60%-70%.

But more statistical research on each technique is needed. Some studies show that relaxation techniques are more effective when used in addition to response/prevention therapy.

Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Drug Success Rates Statistics show that 70% of OCD patients will respond to prescription antidepressants.

Although some reduction in symptoms is noted in 40% of patients, only 10%-15% experience that all symptoms go away. This means that OCD has reached the chronic stage for most patients, even with medication.

The biggest disadvantage is probably the fact that most patients will have to take drugs indefinitely. What's more, around 85% are expected to relapse inside 30 to 60 days after they stop taking the drugs.