Cognitive behavioral therapy combined with antidepressant effective in treating adolescent OCD

By John M Grohol PsyD
October 28, 2004

According to current epidemiological data, approximately 1 in 200 young people suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD patients ‘obsess’ about thoughts of bad things that can happen (obsessions) and perform repetitive, destructive actions (compulsions) as a means of dealing with those thoughts. OCD can cripple their lives, disrupt their learning, and drive a wedge through their families. Now, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers, in conjunction with a team of researchers from Duke University Medical Center, have developed a scientifically conclusive treatment combination %u2013 using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and commonly a prescribed anti-depressant medication %u2013 to help pediatric patients overcome OCD. Their conclusions %u2013 based on a five-year study %u2013 may be found in the October 27th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Here’s the JAMA abstract.

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues, and the intersection of technology and psychology since 1992.