Management of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults

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Source: BMJ

Original: http://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2024-083443.short?rss=1...

Published: 2026-02-16T03:31:38-08:00

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, often debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and behavioral or mental rituals. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) remains the first line of treatment, but many patients do not experience complete remission. The article provides an overview of established psychological and pharmacological therapies with recent findings and factors influencing outcomes. Explores innovations in psychology such as ERP-informed inhibitory learning, acceptance and commitment therapy, inference-based therapy, and telehealth methods. New biological approaches include psilocybin, ketamine, and neuromodulation techniques. The adaptation of interventions to different cultural and identity groups is also discussed.