Key Takeaways
Medication is one of the most effective treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Anyone with a medical license can prescribe medication, but it’s best to work with a psychiatric provider who has specialized expertise in OCD.
Always work closely with your psychiatrist to understand medication options, side effects, and how to manage them for the best results.
Medication — especially when combined with therapy — is one of the most effective treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But who can prescribe OCD medication, and what does that process look like?
The process of getting OCD medication prescribed is relatively straightforward. Although any licensed medical provider can prescribe medication for OCD, it’s best to work with a psychiatrist with specialized expertise in OCD.
Here are the steps you need to take to start working with a psychiatrist for OCD.
Step 1: Find a psychiatric provider
The first step is to find a provider who can write you a prescription for OCD medication. And many people find that it’s most effective to see someone who specializes in psychiatric treatment, specifically a psychiatrist or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNPs).
It can also be helpful to look for a psychiatric provider who specializes in OCD treatment and not just general mental health. OCD is still highly misunderstood, even within the mental health community. Working with an OCD-specific provider ensures that you receive the most evidence-based and up-to-date treatment.
Keep in mind that licensed therapists can’t prescribe medication for OCD, although they can give you a diagnosis. If you're already working with a therapist and are interested in starting medication, you'll need to see a psychiatric provider as well. You can ask your therapist for referrals. They may know someone who specializes in OCD treatment.
Step 2: Prepare for and attend your first appointment
Once you’ve found a provider, it’s time to make your first appointment. Your provider will let you know where to meet — whether in person at their office or online — and give you more specific instructions.
They may ask you to complete certain tasks before the first appointment. For example, you might sign consent and confidentiality forms or submit medical records.
It can also be helpful to keep a record of your symptoms during the weeks leading up to your appointment. It can sometimes be hard to remember things in detail, especially when you’re put on the spot. You can keep a log in a notebook or on your phone and bring it to your first appointment.
Step 3: Get a diagnosis
To get medication for OCD, you'll first need to be diagnosed. During your first session, your provider will typically start to evaluate you for symptoms. Some providers can make a diagnosis in one session, while others may take more time.
There’s no single test to diagnose OCD, but most psychiatrists rely on specific diagnostic criteria. They’ll compare your symptoms with that criteria to determine whether you're experiencing OCD or something else.
Psychiatric providers often use a variety of different assessment tools, including:
A personal interview, during which they’ll you questions about your symptoms and experiences
Observation of your symptoms during sessions
Standardized questionnaires and screening tools
If your psychiatrist doesn’t believe you live with OCD, it’s worthwhile to listen to their explanations. OCD is often misdiagnosed for other mental health conditions, like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and vice versa.
However, it's also OK to get a second opinion — especially if your provider doesn't have specialized expertise in OCD. Getting the right diagnosis is important because OCD is sometimes treated differently than other conditions, especially when it comes to therapy. For example, talk therapy, which is often effective for anxiety disorders, can sometimes make OCD worse.
Step 4: Ask about medication
One of the main roles of psychiatric providers is helping you find the right medication. So it’s likely that they’ll walk you through your medication treatment options without you having to ask. Several medications have been approved to treat OCD. Your psychiatrist can explain each of your options and let you know about potential side effects, as well as how long each medication will take to work.
You can also ask your general practitioner (GP) about OCD medication if you're not seeing a psychiatrist. But again, it's beneficial to see a medical provider who specializes in mental health conditions like OCD.
Step 5: Pick up your prescription
After using a collaborative approach to decide which medication for you to try, your provider will send in a prescription to your preferred pharmacy. All you need to do is pick up your medication and take it as prescribed. Many people also benefit from mail-order pharmacies.
If you have any questions about how to take your medication, you can request a consultation with the pharmacist. You can also call your psychiatric provider with any concerns.
Step 6: Attend follow-up appointments
It often takes several weeks or months to find the right medication and dosage for your symptoms. This is why follow-up appointments are so important. At these appointments, you can talk to your psychiatric provider about your OCD symptoms and whether you’re seeing any positive changes. You can also let them know about any side effects you’re facing and how uncomfortable they are.
If side effects are so uncomfortable that you no longer want to continue taking the medication, your provider can come up with a new plan. This may include adjusting your dosage or switching medications entirely.
Always attend your follow-up appointments. Never stop taking prescribed medication without talking to your psychiatrist first.
Clinician's take
As a psychiatric provider, a common mistake that I see people make when starting OCD medication is believing that it will get rid of all their symptoms. While medication can be effective in reducing symptoms, therapy is important to help people learn how to cope with obsessions and compulsions.
Find care with Rula
You deserve the best support possible for OCD. Finding the right psychiatric provider to help you manage your symptoms and find the right medication can make all the difference.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
