How to deal with OCD

How to overcome OCD. OCD is something that many are struggling with. Let’s talk about the significance of recognizing OCD as a mental health disorder. Many people mistakenly think of OCD as a quirky trait. They might say, "Oh, I’m so OCD" because they prefer things tidier than others. However, real OCD is far more serious. The involuntary thoughts that emerge are distressing. The compulsions people feel driven to perform can consume hours and disrupt their relationships. It's essential to understand that these actions arise from fear, not choice.

What’s intriguing is that, scans show certain brain areas are overactivated in those with OCD. It often begins in childhood or adolescence. In fact, around 80% of those with OCD first experience symptoms during these formative years. This highlights that OCD is not merely a preference for cleanliness or organization. Recognizing OCD is crucial; it’s the first step toward effective treatment.

So, what are the effective treatments for OCD? The most successful approach is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy known as "exposure and response prevention." Research shows that about 75 to 85% of individuals who engage with this therapy fully can achieve significant symptom relief, ranging from 50% to 100%. This level of improvement surpasses what is typically achieved with medications alone, although medications can aid in the process. The effectiveness of this treatment is backed by years of research. Even if complete relief isn’t attained, many people experience significant improvement.

Let’s dive deeper into what exposure and response prevention entails. Exposure involves confronting situations that trigger obsessive thoughts and distress. Response prevention means refraining from acting on those thoughts or engaging in compulsions. It’s important to remember that OCD reflects a misfiring in the brain. Your brain is sending false alarms, so your task is to acknowledge these alarms—like a car alarm stuck outside—while ignoring them.

Although it may take time for brain activity to normalize, the good news is that this approach helps restore brain function. However, it requires stopping compulsive actions, even when obsessions remain strong. For example, someone who usually washes their hands excessively is encouraged to wash just once and resist the urge to wash again. Similarly, an individual fixated on perfect organization should allow items to be put away without strict order.

Understanding that intrusive thoughts are not dangerous is crucial. For instance, a person fearing they might harm a loved one needs to grasp that these thoughts do not reflect their true nature or intentions. They must continue using everyday items, like knives, appropriately. Other therapeutic methods, such as acceptance and commitment therapy, family therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, can also complement exposure and response prevention.

Common medications for OCD belong to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors class. These medications are generally well tolerated and can enhance the effectiveness of exposure and response prevention. However, relying on medication alone often doesn’t yield the same level of symptom relief and can leave an individual vulnerable to relapse once treatment stops.

We should also touch on emerging brain stimulation techniques for OCD. Research is still in its early stages, with some studies yet to confirm their effectiveness. Nonetheless, exciting findings show that when OCD is properly treated—via exposure and response prevention, medication, or both—the brain scans reflect a return to normal activity levels in the overactive regions.

The big question is, can any therapist treat OCD?

It’s essential to find a therapist with experience in treating OCD specifically. Research indicates that those who offer exposure and response prevention therapy yield the best results, particularly if they foster a strong therapeutic alliance. A successful therapist is respectful, empathetic, and ready to support you through the challenging aspects of treatment. It’s important to note that clients tend to fare better with therapists who show warmth and understanding, rather than those who are neutral or unempathetic.

Conversely, what doesn’t work for OCD?

Simply trying to relax or reducing stress isn’t an effective treatment for OCD. Additionally, attempting to eliminate obsessive thoughts is fruitless since we cannot control our thoughts. Thought stopping can only be useful for halting mental compulsions in response to obsessions, as the best method of treatment is exposure to those obsessions while