I know a friend who has never been diagnosed with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and anxiety, but by her actions, I’d say she has them.
At length, she has to have everything in order and done the right away. Always repeating everything.
If you don’t do it right, she’ll do it for you. Therefore, you have to do things specific to her instructions. If not, then she’ll do it over.
“I think I have OCD!” All in all, if you’re obsessive over certain things than you might have OCD. If you’re very compulsive about stuff, you might have OCD.
Lets go to the zen zone: the OCD and anxiety treatment centers to find the ideal treatment plan for you. Comparatively, there is medication, inpatient, online and self help treatment plans to get you started.
Medications For OCD and Anxiety
Here are three types of medications that are often prescribed for individuals with OCD:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Forthwith, SSRIs are the first-line medications for treating OCD. These include medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and escitalopram (Lexapro). Basically, SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help reduce the symptoms of OCD.
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): TCAs, such as clomipramine (Anafranil), are another class of antidepressants that can be effective in treating OCD. Generally, they work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs, such as venlafaxine (Effexor), may also be prescribed to help manage OCD symptoms. Hence, these medications work by increasing the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
Equally important, it’s important to remember that medication is just one component of a comprehensive treatment plan for OCD, and it is often used in conjunction with therapy.
OCD Counseling
Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) for OCD
For example, CBT helps OCD sufferers by addressing the underlying thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their symptoms. Here are some ways CBT helps OCD sufferers:
- Cognitive Restructuring: CBT helps individuals identify and challenge their irrational thoughts and beliefs related to their OCD symptoms. Instead, this can help them develop more realistic and balanced thinking patterns.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): CBT for OCD often includes exposure therapy, where individuals are gradually exposed to their feared situations or objects. Therefore, they learn to resist the urge to perform compulsive behaviors, known as response prevention, which helps reduce anxiety and compulsions over time.
- Behavioral Strategies: Being that, CBT teaches individuals practical strategies to manage their OCD symptoms, such as relaxation techniques, problem-solving skills, and time management.
- Identifying Triggers: By the same token, CBT helps individuals identify the triggers that lead to their OCD symptoms, allowing them to develop coping strategies to manage these triggers effectively.
- Skill Building: Also, CBT helps individuals develop skills to challenge and change their behaviors, allowing them to regain control over their lives and reduce the impact of OCD symptoms.
Overall, CBT provides individuals with the tools and strategies to manage their OCD symptoms effectively, leading to improved quality of life and reduced distress.
Accessing treatment for OCD
The first step is to go see your GP (general practioner). In any event, he can ask you a few questions and then recommend a phychiatrist or psychologist for you to see.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)– the organization that produces guidelines on best practice in healthcare – suggests that treatment for OCD should include talking treatments or medication, or both. Therefore, the NICE website has full guidelines and recommendations for treating OCD.
Obviously, if you feel a treatment isn’t working for you, it’s a good idea to discuss this with your GP.
What if I’m worried about talking to my doctor?
Lets go to the zen zone: the OCD and anxiety treatment centers. Nonetheless, you may worry you’ll be judged about graphic or offensive thoughts. Or you may find it hard to share how much time your compulsions take up.
But it’s important to be as open as possible, so you can access the best treatments for you.
Before your appointment, it may help to note down the ways your OCD is affecting your life, how much your symptoms distress you and how much time they take up.
There’s nothing to be worried about talking to your doctor, he’s there to help you get pointed in the right direction.
In truth, I couldn’t afford a GP and a psychiatrist at the same time, so now my GP is handling my meds. I had to cut out the therapist also. But I feel really good, soooo…
Specialist OCD Services
In addition, Specialist OCD Services refer to specialized mental health services that are dedicated to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
In brief, specialist OCD Services may offer a range of treatment options tailored to the specific needs of individuals with OCD. These services often include:
- Assessment and Diagnosis: Particularly, Specialist OCD Services provide thorough assessments to accurately diagnose OCD and to understand the specific nature and severity of an individual’s symptoms.
- Evidence-Based Treatments: Markedly, these services offer evidence-based treatments for OCD, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is considered the gold standard treatment for OCD. Medication management may also be provided in conjunction with therapy.
- Individualized Treatment Plans: In short, Specialist OCD Services develop individualized treatment plans that address the unique needs and challenges of each person with OCD. This may involve a combination of therapy, medication, and other supportive interventions.
- Support and Education: In general, these services provide ongoing support and education to individuals and their families. They help them understand OCD and learn effective coping strategies.
Social care support for OCD
In effect, social care support for individuals with OCD involves providing assistance, interventions, and resources. This helps them to manage their condition and improve their overall well-being.
Consequently, this support is typically offered by social workers, care providers, mental health professionals, and community organizations.
Some key elements of social care support for individuals with OCD may include:
- Firstly, Information and Education
- Referrals to Mental Health Services
- Support Groups: International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), OCD Action, and Peace of Mind Foundation
- Fourthly, Practical Support:Offering practical assistance with daily tasks, such as managing household responsibilities, organizing appointments, and accessing community resources.
- Advocacy:Supporting individuals in advocating for their needs and rights within the healthcare system, social services, and other relevant settings.
- Social Inclusion: Promoting opportunities for individuals with OCD to engage in social activities, connect with others, and participate in community life.
- Lastly, Crisis Intervention
Inpatient OCD Treatment
Subsequently, inpatient OCD treatment can be beneficial for individuals with severe or treatment-resistant OCD who require intensive intervention and support.
In other words, inpatient treatment provides a structured and closely monitored environment where individuals can receive comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals.
In essence, here are some ways inpatient OCD treatment can help individuals in need of intervention:
Intensive Therapy: offer intensive therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Medication Management: provide close monitoring and adjustment of medications for individuals with OCD, especially for those who have not responded well to outpatient treatment.
24/7 Support and Monitoring for OCD
Multidisciplinary Care: provides a safe and structured environment that can help individuals with severe OCD manage their symptoms, reduce anxiety, and develop coping skills in a supportive setting.
OCD Treatment Online
Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center
International OCD Foundation-low cost
OCD Self Help
Managing intrusive thoughts and uncertainty: Henceforth, you may find that there are times where things feel manageable and other times where it’s much harder.
Lets go to the zen zone: the OCD and anxiety treatment centers. In a word, if something isn’t working for you or doesn’t feel possible just now, try something else.
Try to accept intrusive thoughts
- It’s understandable to want to get rid of thoughts that you find distressing or worrying. But often, the more we try to get rid of a thought, the more it comes into our mind. It can start to feel like the thought is stuck in our head, no matter what we do.
- Try to remember that intrusive thoughts are very common. In brief, some studies have estimated that we have over 6,000 thoughts a day. And most people report that they sometimes have thoughts that bother them. Or that they find confusing, shameful or frightening.
- Also, try to sit with the thoughts that come into your head, rather than trying to get rid of them or make them better.
- It may help to name the thoughts. For example, you could think or say to yourself “there’s that intrusive thought again” or “here’s that thought that makes me feel scared”.
- Nonetheless, some people find that if they exaggerate or make fun of their intrusive thoughts, it can make the thought less powerful.
- Try a grounding object. In particular, keep a small object with you to hold and focus on when you feel bothered by your thoughts. For example, you could use a stone, a fidget toy or a piece of fabric. OCD UK sell ‘just a thought’ wristbands and badges to help remind you not to give meaning to every thought.
Managing compulsions:
Identify your compulsions with OCD
In general, compulsions are things we do, say or think to try and make ourselves feel better. It can be hard to recognize compulsions, especially if we’ve been doing them for a long time or if they bring us comfort.
In short, anything can become compulsive. It can be hard to work out when things stop being helpful and start becoming compulsions.
Some signs that something might be a compulsion include:
- Firstly, it feels very urgent
- You feel the need to do it, even if it doesn’t make sense
- You feel if you do it one more time, you’ll feel better
- Fourthly, doing it makes you feel better at first, but then you need to do it again
- You find yourself doing it more and more over time
- You feel panicked or distressed about not being able to do it
- You feel distressed or anxious while doing it
- You feel like you don’t have control over whether you do it or not
- In addition, you feel a rush of relief or comfort after doing it
- You feel stuck or trapped in the action, conversation or thought
- You feel like a part of you doesn’t want to do it, or you feel like you’re watching yourself from outside of your body
- You feel ashamed, embarrassed or guilty about doing it, but can’t stop
- Additionally, you can’t explain clearly why you need to do it, either to yourself or to others
- You find yourself spending more and more time doing it
- You keep thinking it will work, and then feel frustrated and disappointed when it doesn’t
- Lastly, you find yourself prioritising doing it over other things that are important to you, or it makes you act out of character or against your values
Using distraction and visualization
Distract yourself
Lets go to the zen zone: the OCD and anxiety treatment centers. When trying to resist compulsions, it may help to focus your attention on something else.
- There are many ways you can distract yourself. Therefore, it could be doing something creative, watching a film or TV show, doing something practical or going for a walk. Different things will work at different times, so think about what might work best for you.
- Try not to wait until you feel ‘ready’ to distract yourself. When we’re feeling distressed, the idea of distracting ourselves may feel impossible. Try making a start, even if you doubt it’ll help.
- Take things slowly and try not to worry if you don’t feel better at first.
- When distracting yourself, try to bring your attention to the moment. If your attention goes back to your worries, try to gently re-focus on the present.
- In addition, try to focus on what you can see, hear, smell, taste or feel. It may help to name these things. For example, if you’re watching TV, try focusing on what people are doing or saying, rather than worrying whether you’re enjoying the show.
- When doing an activity, it can help to say what you’re doing out loud or in your mind. This can help focus your attention.
Improving your wellbeing
Look after yourself with OCD
- Think about what might make your OCD worse. This could include stress, lack of sleep, big changes, times of uncertainty, anxiety, hormones, or difficult events in the news. Positive things, such as big events or feeling happy may also trigger intrusive thoughts about something going wrong. Knowing what might make your OCD worse could help you to prepare for difficult times.
- Try a relaxation technique. Unquestionably, relaxation can help you look after your wellbeing when you’re feeling stressed, anxious or busy. Find out more about relaxation.
- Try mindfulness. Not to mention, mindfulness can help to reduce stress and anxiety. It isn’t right for everyone. But for some people, it can be helpful as part of managing OCD. Learn more about mindfulness.
- Try to improve your sleep. Of course, sleep can give you the energy to cope with difficult feelings and experiences. Read our tips to improve your sleep.
- Think about your diet. Then again, what we eat can affect how we feel, including our mood and energy levels. Read more about food and mental health.
- Try to do some physical activity. To emphasize, any kind of physical activity can help our mental health. It’s important to find something that works for you. Visit our pages about physical activity and mental health to find out more, including activities you could try.
- Spend time in nature. To conclude, this can improve our wellbeing. See our information about nature and mental health to learn more, including different ideas for being in nature.
Connecting with others
Connect with those around you
- Talk to someone you trust about your OCD. Lets go to the zen zone: the OCD and anxiety treatment centers. What’s more, find a quiet space to talk where you won’t be interrupted. You could show them this information to help them understand. Without doubt, some people find it helpful to write their feelings down and then talk about this together.
- Tell people what you need from them. People may want to help but not know how. With this in mind, try to be as open as you can about what you need. This might include helping you to resist compulsions, helping to distract you, or giving you some time to yourself. Therefore, it may help to talk about this at a time when you’re feeling well, so that you’re prepared for more difficult times.
- Try to avoid asking for reassurance again and again. Asking for reassurance from others is a very common compulsion. It can be very difficult to resist in the moment, especially if you feel distressed. Instead of asking them for reassurance, try sharing that you’re struggling with your OCD right now. Ask them to help distract you. With this in mind, if you can’t resist asking them for reassurance, you could start by saying “This could be OCD, but…”. This lets them know that it might be OCD.
- Develop code words or signs with people close to you. For example, you could have a name for your OCD that you both use. It may be easier to use this word in the moment, rather than trying to explain how you’re feeling.
- Spend time with others. You might not feel ready to talk openly about your OCD yet. But spending more time with friends and family may help you feel more comfortable around them. And in time, more able to share your experiences.
To Sum It Up
Lets go to the zen zone: the OCD and anxiety treatment centers. At length, emotionally, OCD-related anxiety can be overwhelming and distressing for individuals.
People with OCD often experience intense and persistent feelings of fear, worry, and unease.
Also, they are driven by their obsessive thoughts and the need to perform compulsive behaviors.
Overall, the emotional impact of OCD-related anxiety can be profound, affecting an individual’s overall well-being, relationships, and daily functioning.
It’s important for individuals experiencing these emotional challenges to seek support from mental health professionals and to explore effective treatment options, such as therapy and medication, to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Until next time…
Articles About OCD and Anxiety
-OCD Flare-ups: What causes them & how long they last
https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/what-to-do-when-ocd-is-triggered
-Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
-How Can I Stop OCD Thoughts?
Have a Good One,
Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions
“It’s like having mental hiccups. Mostly, we can function despite the ‘hiccups,’ but we’re exhausted attempting to carry on as if they didn’t exist.” — Sheila Cavanaugh
“A physical sensation crawls up my arm as I avoid compulsions. But if I complete it, the world resets itself for a moment like everything will be just fine. But only for a moment.” — Mardy M. Berlinger
“Imagine all your worst thoughts as a soundtrack running through your mind 24/7, day after day.” — Adam Walker Cleveland
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