Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can feel like a never-ending loop. Obsessive, unwanted thoughts create stress that seems like it can only be relieved through compulsive actions. Mental health treatment can help break the cycle, but what is the best treatment for OCD? Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is considered the gold standard for many people, but every individual requires personalized treatment for the best possible outcomes.
Family First Adolescent Services offers adolescent OCD treatment at our center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. We take an individual approach to every teen we help, developing a customized treatment plan based on their individual needs, goals, and situation. Parents and caregivers also receive support while teens are in treatment, including education, support groups, and family counseling sessions. Call 888.904.5947 to get started.
Goals of Teen OCD Treatment
Every type of mental health treatment will have a similar overarching goal: to help clients manage their symptoms so they can live their lives more enjoyably. When it comes to OCD treatment, this might look like:
- Reducing the frequency and intensity of obsessive thoughts
- Decreasing compulsive behaviors
- Teaching clients how to recognize and cope with triggers
- Improving overall quality of life, including relationships, school or work performance, and daily functioning
Personalized treatment plans help identify current challenges clients are facing and what they want to achieve in their lives. Through a mix of therapies, professionals can help the client through treatment so they can feel more empowered to take control of their own mental health.
Medication for OCD
Medication can be a valuable tool in managing OCD symptoms.1 Teens in OCD treatment may benefit from safe, FDA-approved prescriptions like:
- Anafranil (clomipramine)
- Prozac (fluoxetine)
- Luvox (fluvoxamine)
- Zoloft (sertraline)
These medications are often used as antidepressants but are some of the best options available for treating OCD, too. Your teen’s mental health provider will discuss the best medication for their treatment if it’s appropriate. While prescription medications are safe, helpful tools for managing mental health, they are not right for everyone. Some teens with OCD may benefit from medication and therapy or just therapy alone.
Treating Teen OCD with Talk Therapy
OCD talk therapy (psychotherapy) connects a client with a licensed mental health therapist. Through individual, group, or family sessions, they’ll use different methods to help teens explore the emotions that contribute to their obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – Therapists work with teens to change the negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to OCD. CBT may include more specific methods that target specific symptoms or patterns.
- Exposure and response prevention – ERP is a type of CBT that encourages individuals to confront their fears and resist engaging in compulsive behaviors. Over time, clients learn to tolerate the anxiety caused by their obsessions without participating in rituals or routines.
- Mindfulness-based therapy – This approach helps teens be present in the moment instead of worrying about the past or future. It can help them learn to manage OCD symptoms while improving overall quality of life.
When teens are given the chance to explore their deep-rooted emotions and feelings—alone or with others in group or family sessions—they gain perspective. This may be the first opportunity they’ve gotten to see how their behaviors and thoughts impact their lives. They also learn coping mechanisms to help them manage their symptoms long after treatment is over.
The Best Treatment for OCD Is a Personalized Plan
There is no singular best treatment for teen OCD. Each individual is unique and will respond differently to various treatment options. That’s why personalized treatment is so important. At Family First Adolescent Services, we take the time to truly understand each teen and their needs before creating a customized plan for them. Our team of mental health professionals uses evidence-based therapies to help teens manage and overcome OCD symptoms, leading to a happier and healthier life.
Contact Family First for Teen OCD Treatment
With more than 120 years of combined clinical experience and a 3:1 staff-to-client ratio, your teen and family can receive compassionate care from experts at Family First Adolescent Services. Our team understands the challenges and complexities of OCD, and we are committed to providing personalized and effective treatment for each client.
Call us at 888.904.5947 or contact us online now and find the right plan for your teen to break the cycle of OCD and live a fulfilling life.
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