Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by compulsive actions that follow upon intrusive, stressful thoughts. It is often treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a class of antidepressants. But the SSRIs are ineffective for 40–60 percent of people suffering OCD and these drugs have serious side effects.
For this reason, OCD is in need of better, safer treatments. Many people suffering from OCD can’t tolerate the side effects of drugs or don’t respond to drugs. Sometimes they do respond to the drugs at first but stop responding after a while.
