The family often has a difficult time accepting the fact that the person with OCD cannot stop the distressing behavior. Family members may show their anger and resentment, resulting in an increase in the OCD behavior. Or, to keep the peace, they may assist in the rituals or give constant reassurance. Education about OCD is important for the family. Self-help books are often a good source of information.
Some families seek the help of a family therapist who is trained in the field.
Also, in the past few years, many families have joined one of the educational support groups that have been organized throughout the country. In the very few centers where neurosurgery has been performed as a clinical procedure, candidates are generally restricted to those who have failed to respond to conventional treatments, including behavior therapy and pharmacotherapy. Other NIMH-supported studies compare behavior therapy, pharmacotherapy, and a combination of both. Most often, the benefit from ECT has been short lived, and this treatment is now generally restricted to instances of treatment-resistant OCD accompanied by severe depression.