4 Ways to Cure OCD

1. Engage in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is generally regarded as the most effective form of therapy to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Cognitive therapy works to shed light on your thought patterns, examine their underlying roots and help you adopt new patterns that reduce the damage that OCD causes. Behavior therapy works to address moments where your compulsive habits are triggered in an effort to help you break the routine of rituals and repetition.

One common approach is known as exposure and response prevention. It involves confronting the object of your obsession slowly and gradually, with a therapist standing by for support. The treatment is designed to reduce your fear and anxiety about the obsessive object, relieving its power over you. It usually takes place in stages. For example, if you normally must check your front door six times to make sure it is locked, then the response prevention will work to reduce that number to five and then four. The specifics depend on the patient and are usually combined with other elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Speak to a trained psychologist to see what strategy is right for you.

2. Take Medication

Though the causes of OCD are not entirely known, research points to the deficiency of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Certain types of antidepressants increase the serotonin levels in the brain and can help reduce the symptoms of OCD. They include fluoxetine, clomipramine and sertraline. Most of them are available only by prescription and may take several weeks to work. A trained medical professional can discuss medication options with you and help to combine them with any therapy you may be undergoing.

3. Explore Relaxation Techniques

Formal relaxation methods can help reduce the intrusiveness of OCD symptoms. They can entail a number of different techniques, including yoga exercises, deep-breathing techniques and formal meditation. They work by engendering a mental state known as mindfulness, which makes you extremely aware of the sensations of your body at any given moment. Studies have shown that such techniques can help redirect your thought processes and regulate your emotions.

It helps to have a "safe zone" in your house and even in your workplace. This is a place free of distractions, where you can sit and practice relaxation if you feel an OCD-based anxiety attack coming. The more you use your safe zone, the more you will come to associate it with those calming emotions and the more it will allow you to get a handle on your OCD.

4. Interact With Other People

People with OCD can be very self-conscious about their condition, and others might not understand what the rituals and recurring patterns mean. It can be easy to become isolated and alone in such circumstances. That tends to make symptoms worse by focusing your attention on your obsessive thoughts and leading to further problems, such as depression. Stay engaged with friends and family, go out when you can and establish a trusted social network you can turn to in times of trouble. Regular hobbies are helpful too, especially those that involve physical activity and make you more aware of the state of your body.