Quick Answer
An annual OCD review is a scheduled check-in for people whose OCD is stable. It covers a Y-BOCS score, remaining symptoms and avoidance, long-term side effects, whether to continue or consider a slow taper, life changes and relapse prevention, including ERP booster sessions. It helps keep gains and plan ahead.
Understanding annual OCD Review
When OCD has been under good control for months or years, it’s natural for care to fade into the background. An annual review is a deliberate check-in to make sure the plan still fits. It usually includes a Y-BOCS score, a look at any remaining rituals or avoidance, a review of medication and side effects, an update on your health and life, and a refreshed relapse prevention plan. Many people find that small symptoms have crept back without their noticing, like a little extra checking or a few avoided places. Catching those drifts early keeps them from growing. This guide is part of our OCD care hub for New York adults.
Medication is a key part of the review. The International OCD Foundation notes that SSRIs help while they’re taken but don’t appear to keep working years after stopping, and that relapse rates after discontinuation are high, which is why long-term treatment is commonly recommended. That doesn’t mean medication can never change. The review is a good time to talk about whether the current dose is still right, whether side effects have shifted and whether a slow taper makes sense for you. Our guide on OCD relapse after stopping an SSRI explains the risks of stopping.
For New Yorkers whose OCD has been steady for years, a yearly review keeps quiet gains from slipping. The NYC Health Department found that about 945,000 adult New Yorkers, or 14%, had an unmet need for mental health treatment in the past year. Secure video visits from anywhere in New York can make it easier to start OCD care without adding travel to an already crowded day.
Reviewing symptoms and goals, medication and side effects over time, and relapse prevention are the three parts of the review this guide covers.
ERP boosters
Even when OCD is stable, occasional ERP booster sessions can help maintain gains, especially if small rituals or avoidance have returned. A few sessions to revisit your hierarchy can refresh skills and prevent drift. Practicing exposures on your own between boosters keeps skills sharp.
Updating the flare plan
The review is a good time to update your OCD flare plan: early warning signs, helpful skills, contacts and when to reach the office. Plans that were written years ago may need new triggers or supports. Keeping it current means it’s ready when needed.
Key Takeaways
- Stable OCD still benefits from a yearly review.
- Long-term SSRI treatment is commonly recommended, per the IOCDF.
- Side effects can change over years and deserve review.
- ERP booster sessions can help protect gains.
Annual OCD Review at a glance
| Area | Question |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Y-BOCS score, any hidden rituals or avoidance? |
| Medication | Still working? Side effects? |
| Health | New conditions or medications? |
| Life changes | Pregnancy, moves, work, relationships? |
| Relapse prevention | Flare plan current? ERP skills in use? |
Side effects over time
Side effects can change over years. Some people notice weight changes, sexual side effects, emotional flattening or sleep changes that weren’t there at first. Others find early side effects have disappeared. New medical conditions or medications can also change the picture, especially with fluvoxamine or clomipramine, which have more interactions. Reviewing all of this once a year helps keep treatment comfortable and safe. Clomipramine also needs regular blood levels and EKGs.
Life changes
Life changes can affect OCD and its treatment. Pregnancy planning, a new job, moving, a new relationship, caregiving responsibilities or aging all deserve discussion. Some changes call for medication adjustments, others for a plan in case stress brings a flare. Planning ahead gives you options rather than surprises. Our guides on OCD relapse after stopping an SSRI and the OCD flare plan cover related topics.
Annual OCD review for New York patients
Annual reviews can happen by secure video, with scores and records reviewed together. Visits run by secure video anywhere in New York, while you’re physically in the state. The practice is in-network with Aetna and Cigna; confirm your New York plan with the office, and see self-pay fees on the Good Faith Estimate page.
Setting new goals
When OCD is stable, goals can shift from reducing symptoms to building a fuller life. Maybe it’s traveling, taking on a new role at work or trying something OCD once kept you from. Naming these goals keeps care focused on what matters most.
When to call before the review
Don’t wait for the annual review if symptoms are returning, side effects appear or major life changes happen. Thoughts of self-harm need immediate help through 988 or 911. The review is a regular check, not the only time to reach out.
It can help to prepare a few notes before the review. Jot down any rituals or avoidance you’ve noticed creeping back, side effects that have changed, and upcoming life events, like travel, pregnancy plans or a new job. Note anything you’d like to try that OCD once kept you from. Bringing these notes makes the visit focused and useful, and it gives your clinician a clearer picture of how the past year really went.
The Bottom Line
Annual OCD Review is common and treatable, and careful care can make daily life feel more manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an annual OCD review?
An annual OCD review is a scheduled check-in for people whose OCD is stable. It includes a Y-BOCS score and a look at remaining rituals or avoidance. Medication and side effects are reviewed. Life changes and relapse prevention are discussed. It helps keep gains and plan ahead.
Should I stay on OCD medication long term?
The International OCD Foundation notes long-term treatment is commonly recommended because relapse is common after stopping. SSRIs help while they're taken. Some people consider a slow taper after a long stable period. ERP may reduce relapse risk. The decision is made with your prescriber. An evaluation can clarify what's happening and which options fit.
Can side effects change after years on OCD medication?
Yes, side effects can change over time. Some people notice weight, sexual or sleep changes that weren't there at first. Others find early side effects have disappeared. New conditions or medications can also change the picture. The annual review is a good time to check.
What are ERP booster sessions?
ERP booster sessions are occasional therapy sessions to maintain gains after treatment. They revisit your exposure hierarchy if small rituals or avoidance have returned. A few sessions can refresh skills. Practicing on your own between boosters helps. They prevent drift for most people. An evaluation can clarify what's happening and which options fit.
Should I wait for my annual review if symptoms return?
No, don't wait if symptoms are returning, side effects appear or major life changes happen. Contact the office for an earlier visit. Early action keeps small setbacks small. The annual review is a regular check. It's not the only time to reach out. An evaluation can clarify what's happening and which options fit.
Can an annual OCD review happen by video in New York?
Yes, annual reviews happen by secure video anywhere in New York. You need to be physically in New York during the visit. Scores and records can be reviewed together. The practice is in-network with Aetna and Cigna; confirm your New York plan with the office. Prescriptions go electronically to your pharmacy.
Where to go from here
- Right now, if you're not safe
- Call or text 988, or call 911.
- If you'd like an evaluation
- See how scheduling and telehealth work on the new patient page.
- If you want to keep reading
- Return to Dr. Farkas's New York OCD resources for more guides. For more help preparing and finding care, see NIMH’s tips for talking with your health care provider.
How We Reviewed This Page
Written by Steven Lockhart of Health Marketing Group and clinically reviewed by Gabriella I. Farkas, MD PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist. Clinical information comes from the sources listed below, and the page is reviewed every 180 days or when guidance changes.
What’s new: September 29, 2026. Page published.
References
- International OCD Foundation. Understanding Medication for OCD. https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/ocd-treatment-guide/understanding-medication/
- Y-BOCS severity ranges (table). Biological Psychiatry (2019);85(9):726-734, via PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6467837/table/tbl2
- NYC Health Department. The State of Mental Health of New Yorkers (2024). https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/mh/state-of-mental-health-new-yorkers.pdf
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/
- Tips for talking with your health care provider. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/tips-for-talking-with-your-health-care-provider