Exploring Treatment Options for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
If you suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you may experience ongoing unwanted thoughts and fears that lead to repetitive actions. When those thoughts and actions start to take over your life, enjoying daily experiences can become difficult. Fortunately, there are treatment options available for OCD. They usually fall into the two categories of psychological therapy and medicine.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
The full relationship between OCD and low serotonin levels isn't fully understood. However, it may be that low serotonin levels contribute to the anxious thoughts that come with OCD. If this is the case for you, regularly taking an SSRI may help. SSRIs prevent your brain from reabsorbing serotonin too quickly. They can take a few weeks to begin working efficiently. If you start taking them, make sure you don't stop without the guidance of your doctor or therapist first.
Challenging Negative Thoughts
One form of obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment involves challenging negative thoughts. Under the guidance of a counsellor, you may start to challenge negative thoughts as a part of your Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). By challenging your cognitive distortions, you may be less likely to experience them in the future. Or you might find that when the distortions do arise, you have an easier time separating them from reality.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP involves facing your fears that trigger obsessive thoughts without neutralising them using your compulsions. As a part of this therapy, you'll find out what happens if you face scary situations without enacting any of your rituals. For example, if you usually need to perform a ritual before leaving the house, ERP would involve leaving the house without that ritual. As a part of this therapy, your counsellor may ask you to reflect on these experiences. Over time, as you explore life without your rituals, you may find that you need to enact on them less.
Counselling
Some of the thoughts you have as a part of your OCD may feel distressing. However, it's important that you discuss them with someone so that you're not carrying the burden alone. Seeking counselling for your OCD can mean that you experience fewer feelings of guilt and anxiety, too. If you're feeling unable to talk to family and friends, consistent counselling can help you feel less alone with your condition. Your counsellor may also recommend groups you can join so that you can share your experiences with others who are in a similar position.
Contact a local obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment clinic to learn more.
