Living with OCD in the form of obsessions, compulsions, anxiety or depression feels like a heavy rain cloud always over your head. But there is hope with different therapies to treat OCD and give you your life back.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves recurring and distressing thoughts, images, or impulses that cause anxiety, leading to compulsive behaviors to ease the distress. With the right approach tailored to your needs, these therapies can be highly effective in reducing OCD symptoms and improving quality of life.
If you believe you may have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, receiving a proper diagnosis from a medical professional should be your first step. Many self-diagnostic tools are available online, but only a medical professional can identify the disorder and which therapies listed in this article will help you specifically.
Therapies for OCD can be broken down into 4 main areas: Education, Psychotherapy, Medication, and Alternative Therapies.
Education
Learning about obsessive-compulsive disorder can help you to understand your condition and show the root behind your symptoms. A licensed therapist will educate you on OCD, how it presents and affects you, as well as which treatments will work best for you.
Also, understanding your diagnosis and how it affects you can help to create space for empathy for yourself. Sometimes when we are diagnosed with a condition, we resent the obvious ways it disrupts our relationships, career, and life overall.
Negative self-talk is common when dealing with frustrating symptoms and not knowing the cause. When signs and root causes of the condition are discovered and explained, it may be easier to have patience with yourself during the healing process. Knowing why your symptoms exist can help direct therapy and ease stress associated with OCD.
“OCD” is often casually used to describe someone who likes their space organized or is particular about different aspects of their life. But OCD has many signs and symptoms depending on which of the 4 types of OCD you have. OCD is complex and shows itself in different ways depending on the person.
One of the most important aspects of educating yourself about OCD before starting treatment is understanding the difference between obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts or images that create anxiety, while compulsions are behaviors used to reduce this anxiety.
It’s also helpful to recognize when your thoughts or behaviors become excessive or unreasonable compared to those without an obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis so that you can better identify triggers for your symptoms.
In summary, receiving education in the form of self-study and from your therapist can help you understand your condition and is a pivotal piece of the healing journey puzzle.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that involves talking about thoughts and feelings with a therapist. This type of therapy treats obsessive-compulsive disorder by identifying symptoms, triggers, and ways to manage them in daily life.
Therapists use one or more types of psychotherapy to help relieve symptoms and offer support during the process.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most commonly used approach to treating OCD. It involves teaching patients how to challenge their thoughts and change their behavior to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy is a form of CBT that slowly exposes people with OCD to situations they fear or avoid and teaches them how to manage their anxiety healthily.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an effective therapy used to treat OCD. This type of therapy focuses on acceptance, mindfulness, and commitment. The goal is for individuals to accept their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment and to focus their energy on their values instead.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy focuses on helping patients understand their thought patterns and how they can affect OCD symptoms.
Therapists will discuss situations to identify unhelpful or irrational beliefs and reactions. Therapists will then help patients recognize these thoughts and use new techniques to challenge them.
Final Points on Psychotherapy
Therapy can be conducted one-on-one or with a group of people who share similar symptoms. Therapists may also recommend lifestyle changes such as exercising more, practicing stress management techniques, developing positive thinking habits, and improving sleep quality.
Therapy is a large component in working through OCD and how it hinders your life, such as compulsions and anxiety. All other therapy options for OCD report better results for the patient when in combination with psychotherapy.
Medication
The use of medication and therapy together can help manage the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Antidepressant medications are typically prescribed for OCD.
There are two types of antidepressant medications used: Selective-Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs).
Selective-Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are a type of antidepressant medication commonly used to treat symptoms of OCD. SSRIs work by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain.
It is believed that serotonin plays an essential role in helping to regulate our moods, emotions, and behavior. When serotonin levels are off-balance, it can lead to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety.
SSRIs can also be used to treat other anxiety disorders.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs are another type of medication that can be used to treat OCD symptoms.
SNRIs work similarly to SSRIs, but they also increase the level of norepinephrine in the brain. Norepinephrine helps regulate our attention and alertness, as well as our emotions, moods, and behavior.
SNRIs can also be used to treat anxiety disorders and OCD.
Final Points on Medication
Medication can have different effects on each person. It may take some time to find the right combination of medications and doses for you. It may take up to 3 weeks to feel the effects of your medication.
As with any medication, side effects can occur. Talk with your doctor about any side effects or concerns you have about taking medicine for OCD.
Suppose side effects become more of a problem than the benefits they may offer. In that case, your doctor may find another better medication for you.
It’s recommended that the medication is taken with therapy, as this is believed to be more effective than either treatment alone.
Alternative Therapies
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a form of therapy used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms.
During biofeedback sessions, patients are connected to electrical devices that monitor their brainwave activity and body temperature.Then, the patient learns how to increase relaxation and reduce anxiety by changing the patterns of their thoughts and behaviors.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Deep Brain Stimulation is an alternative therapy for treating OCD symptoms. This treatment involves a surgically implanted device that sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain to block signals associated with impulsivity or compulsions.
Studies have shown that DBS can reduce symptoms of OCD by up to 70% in some people.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-invasive therapy option used to treat symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
This type of therapy uses magnetic pulses to stimulate different areas in the brain, which can help reduce symptoms such as irrational thinking and compulsions. TMS has been found safe and effective for many individuals with OCD.
TMS sends magnetic pulses into targeted parts of the brain, stimulating nerve cells responsible for controlling behavior and emotions. As a result, TMS could help reduce symptoms such as irrational thinking and compulsions.
The study of the exact mechanism behind this therapy is ongoing. Still, repeated stimulation may alter neural pathways associated with OCD behaviors, resulting in decreased symptoms over time.
Studies have shown that TMS could potentially lead to long-term reductions in OCD symptoms without causing any severe side effects or discomfort for patients.
Additionally, TMS doesn’t require any medications or sedation, so this can be a great option for those seeking relief without relying on medication alone.
Clinical Trials
Participating in a clinical trial to treat OCD can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Clinical trials test new treatments and medications that aim to better treat diseases and conditions.
Partaking in a clinical trial can potentially give access to a treatment that could improve your symptoms associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The process for taking part in a clinical trial is often lengthy. It requires dedication from both the participant and their doctor or therapist.
Anyone considering participating in a clinical trial must understand all aspects of the study, including its purpose, what will be expected from them, potential risks associated with participation, any costs involved, benefits received from participating in the study, etc.
Before enrolling in a clinical trial for OCD treatment, it is vital to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements set out by the study researchers. Eligibility requirements typically include being diagnosed with OCD and meeting specific criteria such as age range or type/severity of symptoms.
Some studies may require participants who have already tried other forms of therapy unsuccessfully. In contrast, other clinical trials may consider people who have never received treatment before. This will differ from study to study.
Final Thoughts on Therapies for OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be a complex and overwhelming condition to navigate. With the right support system and personalized therapies for obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is possible to manage symptoms and lead a happy and productive life.
Depending on your needs, treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and alternative therapies can help reduce anxiety levels and increase coping skills.
Finding the right combination of therapies might take some trial and error. By educating yourself and having a positive attitude, you can move towards a fuller life without compulsions, obsessions, depression, and anxiety.
Talk to your doctor or therapist about the different treatment options to develop an action plan that works for you. If you would like to contact a licensed therapist for support and information about treatments, start here to make an appointment or call us to help us create your path to relief.
