Psychoanalytically informed approaches to the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

As neuroscience research has uncovered the genetic/biological basis of obse ssive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a broad consensus has been reached that be havior therapy and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor are the treatme nts of choice for the condition. Nevertheless, psychoanalytically informed approaches still have much to offer in an overall treatment plan. The biolo gically determined symptoms have unconscious meanings to the patient that m ay lead the patient to be highly invested in maintaining the symptoms. Also , psychodynamic factors may be involved in triggering an exacerbation of th e symptoms. Moreover, the compulsions and obsessional thoughts almost alway s have interpersonal meanings that need to be addressed. Family members and others, including treaters, may feel compelled to accommodate themselves t o the illness as a response to coercive behaviors by the patient. Finally, the characteriological features of individuals with OCD tend to undermine t reatment efforts in many cases and may require psychoanalytically informed therapy to deal with them.