1. Go in Steps
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often entails recurring patterns of behavior that intrude upon everyday aspects of life. A person with OCD might double-check the front door multiple times, even though he knows it's locked, or engage in elaborate rituals for simple tasks, such as washing his hands. There are ways to suppress those tendencies, but it's not like turning off a switch. Instead, techniques like exposure and response prevention work in small stages in order to slowly suppress obsessive-compulsive tendencies. For example, if you normally check the front door eight times before leaving, you can work on reducing it to seven times and then six times. That allows you to gain a handle on the behavior, without triggering the stress and anxiety that comes from simply stopping it all at once. Behavioral therapy can help you to address the symptoms under the guidance of a trained professional.
2. Search for the Root of the Problem
The causes of OCD are unclear and may include biological factors as well as psychological ones. However, in addition to treating the symptoms of OCD--the ritualistic behavior and the anxieties that come from obsessive thoughts--you should work with a therapist to uncover the cause of the condition. Cognitive therapy is an attempt to pinpoint events in your life that may have fostered your OCD and find more positive ways of addressing them. Not only does it reduce the frequency and severity of the symptoms, but it also gives you the knowledge to address it more readily on your own when it recurs.
3. Take Medication
OCD medication works to increase levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter in your brain. It is not known exactly how serotonin affects OCD, but many people tend to improve when their serotonin levels rise. Common medications, such as clomipramine and fluoxetine, are usually prescribed to OCD patients, and they often work most effectively in conjunction with therapy. They often take several weeks or more to start having an effect, as it takes time to alter the brain chemistry sufficiently to start affecting your OCD.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques
OCD is often accompanied by stress and anxiety caused by the intrusion of your obsessive thoughts and the worries they raise. Certain relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation and deep-breathing exercises, can help keep you calm when an episode strikes. The specifics vary, but all of them encourage a state known as mindfulness, which is an awareness of the rhythms and sensations of your own body. Mindfulness allows you to refocus your thoughts more readily, calming the agitated emotions caused by OCD. Set aside a quiet place in your home to engage in relaxation techniques when an episode strikes, or find a place at work that serves a similar function, such as a storeroom or an unused office. The more you practice relaxation techniques, the more readily you can use them when an OCD episode strikes.
