Overlapping Neural Circuits in Pediatric OCD

CBT treatment consisted of 12-16 hour-long sessions. For exceptional cases not showing clinical improvement after six CBT treatment sessions, complementary pharmacological treatment (SSRI) was offered as part of our treatment protocol. CBT for OCD involves gradually exposing patients to anxiety provoking stimuli while having patients refrain from engaging in compulsive rituals and/or avoidance behaviors. There are three major components of CBT treatment for OCD, specifically: (1) exposure to anxiety provoking stimuli, (2) response prevention, and (3) cognitive techniques intended to decrease anxiety during the exposure and response prevention processes.