Treatments which should not be recommended for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Insufficient evidence – there either hasn’t been any research on this treatment option or there is a small amount of evidence with unclear conclusions.
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy and counselling are not recommended as treatment for OCD as they are unlikely to be effective.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation involves using pulsing magnetic fields to activate or suppress the brain. It is non-invasive as the machine is held close to your head and doesn’t involve any surgery. It has been tried as a treatment for OCD in adults where other treatments have not worked. There is virtually no research on its use for children and young people.
- Deep brain stimulation involves implanting electrodes in certain areas of the brain. These electrodes produce electrical impulses that regulate certain cells and chemicals within the brain. It has been tried as a treatment for OCD in adults, but there are concerns about the risks and uncertain benefits. There is no research involving children and young people.
Treatments outlined on these webpages may not be available in every local area. It’s important that you discuss with your GP or mental health professional the treatment options available to you. You can also search for services near you on our Youth Wellbeing Directory and find out more about referral processes here.