Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms can affect a teen’s daily functioning, their academic performance, their social life and other aspects of life. Teens who have OCD may have difficulty getting through their morning or nighttime routine. They may have intrusive thoughts and anxieties that keep them from doing activities like schoolwork or participating in group activities. Many teens who have OCD need both medication and therapy to manage their symptoms most effectively. 

There are a few different types of medication available that are effective for treating OCD in teens. Teens should work with a psychiatrist or other qualified prescriber who has experience treating OCD. As a caregiver, it’s good to familiarize yourself with different options so you can have better conversations with your child’s prescriber. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the most important things to know about medication for OCD in teens.

Can teens take medication for OCD?

Therapy can be helpful for long-term symptom management, but many teens who have OCD will also need medication. Medication essentially quiets down their anxious thoughts so that it’s easier for them to stop the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. As a result, teens are able to get through daily activities without performing routines and rituals and function more independently. When paired with therapy, medication can provide fast relief from symptoms and improve therapy outcomes. 

What types of medications are available for teens who have OCD?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are usually the most effective medications for treating OCD. These medications work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Prescribers will typically suggest these first whenever possible. If a teen has an adverse reaction to an SSRI or doesn’t see the desired effects, their prescriber may recommend another SSRI or another type of medication. SSRIs and other antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents and young adults. Teens should also avoid taking medications if they may be allergic. 

Aside from certain SNRIs such as Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine), clinical trials haven’t yet shown that other types of medication can be as effective as SSRIs in treating OCD. However, each person is different. The medication that works for one person may not have the same effects on another person with the same condition. Other types of medications that may be used to treat OCD include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) called clomipramine, and atypical antipsychotics. These medications may affect how the brain regulates serotonin and other neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine. Clomipramine is more likely to cause side effects like dry mouth, constipation and vision changes. 

Controlled substances that may be prescribed by an online psychiatrist include:

• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)
• Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin)
• Sedative hypnotics (Lunesta, Ambien)

SSRIs that are commonly prescribed for OCD include:

• Luvox (fluvoxamine)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)

The following are other medications that may be prescribed for OCD:

• Cymbalta (duloxetine, SNRI) 
• Effexor (venlafaxine, SNRI)
• Anafranil (clomipramine, TCA)
• Abilify (aripiprazole, antipsychotic)
• Risperdal (risperidone, antipsychotic)
• Seroquel (quetiapine, antipsychotic)
• Zyprexa (olanzapine, antipsychotic)

What does the process of finding the right medication look like?

Teens will try one medication at a time and meet with their prescriber for regular medication management sessions. They’ll discuss any positive and negative effects they’re noticing and talk through any adjustments that may be necessary. The prescriber may change their dosage, switch their medication, or suggest strategies like taking it at a certain time of day. Most often, prescribers will start teens on a low dose of an SSRI and increase the dosage as needed. If a teen is seeing some success with a medication but they still have symptoms, their prescriber may augment their treatment with another medication.

Some teens will notice results within four or five weeks of starting a new medication. It’s common to see some mild side effects during this time. However, side effects usually go away as people get used to their medication. Your prescriber may suggest trying a medication for up to 10 or 12 weeks to see how it works. This will give it plenty of time to start working, and most side effects should be gone by that point. 

It can take some time to find the right medication, and the process can be uncomfortable at times. Once your teen finds the right medication, they should see substantial improvements. It’s important to take medication exactly as directed. Inconsistency in dosage or timing can diminish the effectiveness of a medication.

What’s included in a comprehensive treatment plan for a teen with OCD?

Teens who have OCD should receive personalized treatment that includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy. There are a few different therapeutic approaches that can be helpful, including exposure and response prevention (ERP) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Your teen’s therapist may also suggest lifestyle modifications, strategies for family support and school accommodations. 

Teens who have OCD may need different levels of treatment throughout their lifetime. The appropriate level to start with will depend on the severity of their symptoms and how their OCD is affecting their life. Two of our Lightfully Teen programs include medication management: Residential Treatment (RTC) and our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). Teens may start out in one of these more intensive programs and then taper down to our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for continued support as they start to return to life at school and at home. 

Medication shouldn’t be the only treatment method for teens who have OCD. Therapy can help them change their relationship with their anxious thoughts and develop skills they’ll use to manage their feelings and behaviors throughout their lifetime. At Lightfully, we involve caregivers and loved ones in the treatment process so you can learn how to best support your teen.

Are you considering medication for a teen in your life who has OCD? Contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today. Let’s talk about your options.