Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition wherein an individual has fearful thoughts and images in their mind that force them to perform repetitive behaviours. These behaviours interfere with daily activities and interactions, sometimes making everything a mess. It is a lifelong condition where the symptoms may come and go over time.
OCD can affect anyone; around 50% of those with OCD begin to have symptoms in childhood and adolescence. The symptoms include fear of dirt or dust, fear of making a mistake, the need for perfection in everything, or the fear of causing harm to oneself or others, frequently washing of hands, and checking things again and again.
How is OCD Treated?
Treatment of OCD involves psychotherapy and medications. We will delve into the details of both treatment options.
- Psychotherapy for Obsessive-compulsive disorder -
Psychotherapy is a treatment option wherein the affected individual will talk at length with an expert, usually a psychologist.
This technique usually helps the expert identify unhealthy emotions, behaviours, or patterns.
The most common and effective ones are -
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- The therapist will help you examine and understand your thoughts, behaviour, and emotions.
- It is estimated that after a few successful sessions, your therapist can help you change harmful behaviour and stop negative emotions by replacing them with good and positive behaviour and emotions.
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
- Here, the therapist will expose the person to fearful objects and images or situations where they ask you to resist the urge to perform a compulsion.
- Through this method, the therapist will help you learn that fearful thoughts are just thoughts and in no way harmful. For example, they ask you to touch things covered in dirt and then stop you from washing your hands. In this way, they teach that the fear of harm from dirt are just thoughts and not a reality.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- In this method, the therapist will help you learn and accept obsessive thoughts and behaviours simply by telling you that they are your thoughts and behaviours; thus they are powerless.
- Acceptance and commitment therapy will help you live a meaningful life despite OCD symptoms.
- Other ways and techniques
- Apart from the above-mentioned therapies, other mindful techniques such as yoga and meditation will help you remain relaxed and stress-free while living with obsessive compulsive disorders.
The medicines used in the treatment of OCD include serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including tricyclic antidepressants. SSRIs are given at a higher dosage in OCD cases than those used for treating anxiety and depression. The FDA-approved SSRIS include:
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- Paroxetine
- Sertraline
Remember that these medicines take up to 8 to 12 weeks to start working.
Conclusion
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition that affects people worldwide. The treatment method involves psychotherapy and medicines. People with this condition should seek immediate and timely medical assistance as it would be easy to treat the symptoms as soon as a person starts to display disruptive behaviours. OCD is a condition that requires lifelong medical care and assistance.
Hence, to tackle such health conditions effectively and with a calm mindset, purchasing a health insurance policy will always remain a wise decision enough to purchase to help you bear any emergency health expenditure.