Review of the psychological and pharmacological therapies available for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Objective: to characterize the current treatments available for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Methodology: a literature search was carried out in various databases such as Plinio, ProQuest, Medline and CUIDEN, using the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) “trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo” and “terapias”, and the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms “obsessive-compulsive disorder” and “therapeutics”. Results: according to the information and data obtained in the articles analysed, it seems appropriate to conclude that the best treatment for OCD is one that combines exposure and response prevention (ERP) and psychotropic drugs. Improvements have been described both in obsessive and compulsive symptoms and in depressive and anxious ones.