What Are the Most Effective Treatments for OCD?

What Are the Most Effective Treatments for OCD?

Is obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, running your life? Do you feel driven to fulfill the compulsions so that you can feel better and get through your day? OCD is a serious mental health condition that can definitely interfere with your life. However, there are treatments for OCD that can help you better manage your symptoms each day.

Treatments for OCD:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

One of the common treatments for OCD is  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. CBT is a treatment method in which you and your therapist discuss what you are struggling with (such as OCD), and work together to find solutions. During a session, your therapist can point out thinking patterns that are negative, inaccurate, or in general unhelpful. You may not even be aware of these patterns unless they are pointed out to you by someone else.
For example, when you experience anxiety because you can’t find a “clean” shirt to wear, your therapist can examine with you why you believe the other shirts were dirty and point out how this is illogical because you just did your laundry. Over time, you can create new thinking patterns by examining the logic of the situation.

Exposure Therapy

Another of the many treatments for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. In this case, you are exposed to whatever is causing your stress or anxiety. Obviously, if you have OCD because you are afraid of getting sick and want to avoid germs, dropping you off in an emergency room may not be the best idea. The idea behind exposure therapy is that you are gradually put into contact with whatever causes your anxiety. As you progress, the exposure time increases. All the while, you are processing what you are experiencing with your therapist, either in the moment or afterward in session.

Note that exposure doesn’t have to be limited to physically coming into contact with something. It could also be sights, sounds, thoughts, etc. It can be difficult when you’ve just started this process, but ERP is an effective treatment for OCD.

Medications

Besides CBT and ERP therapy, medications are another example of effective treatments for OCD. These medications allow you to better stay in control and not let either your obsessions or your compulsions get out of hand. Examples of antidepressants include:

• Fluoxetine

• Paroxetine

• Clomipramine

• Sertraline

• Fluvoxamine

It is important to note that you should begin prescription medication only after consultation with your medical provider and/or psychiatrist. However, when combined with CBT and ERP, medication may be a useful tool for treating OCD.

Lifestyle Changes

You can also make lifestyle changes that can contribute to better managing your OCD. For example:

• Manage your stress through meditation and mindful breathing techniques.

• Participate in regular exercise and eat healthily.

• Know what your “triggers” are and how to manage them when they arise.

• Avoid excessive caffeine as it can negatively affect anxiety.

• Do not use alcohol or drugs to “cope” with the anxiety or other issues that arise with OCD.

Reach Out

Finally, reach out to others to talk about your OCD and how it affects you. You can start with your spouse, a trusted family member, or a close friend. There are also support groups sponsored by the International OCD Foundation. Remember, when you feel like someone understands, it helps to break down the barriers OCD puts between you and those who want to help.

OCD is a real problem for millions of Americans. Yet, there is hope for treating the condition. Although it may not be possible yet to cure OCD, utilizing effective treatments for OCD through therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, you can learn to better manage the symptoms and live a life in which you are in control, not your OCD.