3 Ways to Benefit From OCD Therapy

1. Treat the Symptoms With Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The behavioral aspect involves ways to react to obsessive thoughts and cut down on compulsive rituals. You work with a therapist to develop coping tools for your OCD and to confront the fears and anxieties that trigger it. One common tactic is known as exposure and response prevention, which entails direct contact with the cause of your obsessive thoughts and a means of keeping you from reacting to it. For instance, if your OCD centers on excessive cleanliness, you will be encouraged to stay in contact with "dirty" objects, such as public door handles or currency. You will also be blocked from engaging in the rituals you have used to address that anxiety. Through repeated exposure and prevention, you will gradually learn to reduce your fears and slowly wean off of your compulsive rituals. Behavioral therapy is often gradual--moving in small steps and phases--and takes place under the supervision of a trained therapist.

2. Explore the Root of the Problem With Cognitive Therapy

While behavioral therapy treats the symptoms of OCD, cognitive therapy attempts to treat the causes. It involves speaking with a therapist at length and attempting to identify the thought processes that lead to OCD. The exact causes of the condition are unknown but can often be traced back to childhood traumas, unreasonable parental expectations and similar emotional wounds. Once they have been identified, the therapist can teach you ways to challenge the assumptions they entail and "retrain" your thought processes in more positive and fulfilling directions. Like behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy can take time, but the success rate for treating OCD is very high.

3. Speak to Those Close to You About Family Therapy

OCD can be strange and frightening to those who don't understand it. The compulsive rituals often intrude upon everyday life, and your struggles with the condition can become worse if people around you keep admonishing you to "get over it." Family therapy can educate spouses and family members about your condition, help them to support you in your efforts to address it and teach them coping skills for handling your obsessive compulsive behavior. If you have the understanding and support of the people who know what you are dealing with and want to help, it becomes much easier to benefit from OCD treatment.