Dealing with the Symptoms of OCD
Many people use the term “OCD” to describe someone who exhibits obsessive behaviors. However, this is just one of the symptoms of OCD. OCD almost always has a negative effect on daily life for somebody suffering from the disorder. They often can’t concentrate effectively, making performing a job or attending school very challenging.
Symptoms of OCD
The disorder is characterized by more than obsessive behavior.
- A person with OCD can be frightened of losing, forgetting, or misplacing something.
- They can harbor aggressive thoughts about an acquaintance or themself.
- They can exhibit an irrational fear of germs and contamination.
- They can have unwanted or taboo thoughts about religion or sex or causing harm to themselves or others.
- They can also fear losing control over their behavior and acting out irrational and potentially dangerous thoughts.
OCD Treatment Options
There are a variety of effective treatments for OCD. However, treatments can encompass both psychotherapy and medicine. The immediate goal with treatment is often simply bringing the symptoms under control so the person feels they’re in charge of their life again. Different patients exhibit different symptoms. This is why it’s crucial to have a personalized treatment plan created by a mental health professional.
Psychotherapy for OCD
One of the most effective types of psychotherapy for treating OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Exposure and response therapy is a facet of CBT that involves exposing the patient to their obsessive object. For example, washing hands. Over time, the patient learns to control their obsessive behavior and only wash their hands when it’s needed. The goal is to learn to control and manage the obsessive behavior rather than eliminate it completely.
Medication for OCD
The most common medication for treating OCD is an antidepressant known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This medication improves OCD symptoms by increasing the levels of a chemical in your brain called serotonin. Serotonin carries messages between the brain’s nerve cells and the rest of the body.
Researchers have found that OCD can be triggered by communication problems and lapses between the frontal lobes of the brain and the brain’s inner, deeper structures. Increasing the serotonin levels can help improve the communication of the nerve cells and reduce the symptoms of OCD.
However, it’s vital to consult a mental health professional to make sure SSRI is the right treatment for you.
Self Management Techniques for OCD
Self-managing OCD symptoms can be a lifelong undertaking, but it can work wonders on a person’s ability to function in everyday life. Some of the self-management techniques used to treat OCD are:
- Relaxation techniques, including deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
- Mindfulness practices include breathing exercises, listening to your body, and meditating.
- Journaling or writing down triggers and thought patterns to recognize them when they occur.
- Building a support system of friends and family to lean on when the symptoms become too severe.
Complementary Therapies for OCD
If you find that a loved one with OCD is responding well to the self-management techniques listed above, some other complementary therapies that might also help them. Mindfulness-based stress reduction, yoga therapy, and spending more time with members of the patient’s support groups can all have benefits that help manage the symptoms of OCD.
Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle
Along with psychotherapy and medication, living a healthy lifestyle is crucial to being able to control obsessive behaviors in people with OCD.
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and restful, quality sleep can reduce symptoms of OCD in patients. Staying away from drugs and alcohol is also a priority.Living with OCD
OCD can be a lifetime issue for many. It’s crucial that they learn to accept their problem and celebrate their achievements in successfully managing their life. It’s also important that they have access to compassionate and qualified professionals to seek help if needed.
Contact BMHH
Bangkok Mental Health Hospital offers comprehensive mental health care for OCD patients and support for families of patients dealing with mental health issues. If you or a loved one is living with OCD, please contact BMHH and make an appointment for a consultation.
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