1. Consider Biological Factors
The exact causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are not certain, but there is considerable evidence to suggest that the biochemical mixture of the brain plays a significant part. Specifically, people with OCD have a deficiency of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain. Most medications designed to treat OCD--such as clomipramine and fluoxetine--do so by increasing serotonin levels, which can cut down on the symptoms considerably. Most OCD medication is available only by prescription and is often taken in conjunction with therapy. Be sure to speak with a trained physician before taking any kind of medication.
2. Look Into Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy entails regular sessions with a trained counselor who will help you to identify the causes of your OCD. He will ask you questions about your childhood, early incidents in life, your parents' expectations about you and similar issues designed to illuminate the thought processes that led to your OCD. It may be any number of different things, from early worries about cleanliness to perfectionism and an intolerance of any kind of failure. Once you and the therapist have identified those causes, you can develop healthier ways to address them, leading to more positive thought patterns and a corresponding reduction in obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Cognitive therapy is often combined with behavioral therapy, which teaches you ways to deal with the immediate symptoms of OCD rather than the root causes.
3. Be Open and Honest About Your Thoughts and Feelings
OCD can be difficult to diagnose because it is often accompanied by other disorders. The difficulty of struggling with obsessive thoughts can often lead to depression, for example, while other OCD patients grapple with eating disorders or the development of phobias. In addition, people with OCD may have a difficult time talking about their obsessive thoughts or ritualistic behavior. They may feel it's a source of shame or that, by giving voice to it, they are only strengthening it. Keep an open mind when you speak to a medical professional about it, and be prepared to talk honestly and openly with her. It may help her parse through attendant emotional difficulties and help you to pinpoint the precise condition with which you are grappling and what caused it.
