Some people with OCD find value in joining asupport groupin addition to treatment.

This article discusses how to find a support group to help with OCD.

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What Are OCD Support Groups?

A group of people sit on chairs in a circle engaging in group therapy.

Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty Images

Support groups are not the same as group therapy.

Group therapy is formal, professional therapy (such as CBT) offered by a mental health professional.

It is similar to individual therapy, just in a group setting.

Support groups, while beneficial, are not therapy and are not a substitute for therapy.

Medication can be used to treat OCD, but often psychotherapy is used as a treatment without medication.

CBT, particularlyexposure and response prevention (ERP), is considered the most effect psychotherapy treatment for OCD.

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