Best OCD Treatments In 2022
Have you or a loved one been chronically portraying certain unwanted obsessions and/or compulsions that absolutely must be carried out in a specific way every single day? Do you feel like you’ll go crazy if you don’t? If so, then this is a hallmark sign of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).
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OCD is a relatively common and serious mental health disorder. It can affect children, men and women of all ages, but women tend to develop it more often than men. Extensive research and studies have shown that it’s a result of several possible factors- Genetics, life traumas, toxic homes/workplaces/relationships, brain injuries, etc. The symptoms largely vary in severity and type, such as excessively repeating actions or words, intrusive and inappropriate thoughts, or a combination of both that occur simultaneously at any time of the day. The triggers of these symptoms also vary, but are rooted in feelings of stress, depression or anxiety, which the person feels must be alleviated, hence the compulsions. In order to be diagnosed with OCD, the symptoms must persist for at least an hour, cause physical harm and significantly impact the person’s life and/or personal relationships.
But there is shining light and hope for OCD sufferers and their loved ones. OCD is very treatable, and its debilitating symptoms can be significantly reduced to improve daily quality of life. Listed below are some of the best and most effective OCD treatments in 2022.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that has shown great success in treating many mild-moderate OCD patients. During the therapy session, you will talk to a trained and certified therapist who will then examine your words and behavior, in order to understand your thoughts and emotions behind them.
Over several sessions, CBT can help you stop negative, harmful or destructive habits and replace them with healthier ways to cope. Your therapist may suggest music, squeezing a squishy yet durable ball, going for a walk or run, talking to someone you trust or some other form of self distraction, depending on your particular list of symptoms.
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS)
Deep TMS is a unique therapeutic treatment course that uses harmless magnetic fields to effectively and non-invasively reach brain structures associated with mental health conditions. Deep TMS has been FDA- approved to treat OCD since 2018, due to its ability to offer substantial relief to those battling this condition. This finding was confirmed by a 2019 multicenter, highly- monitored and controlled clinical study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, which determined that Deep TMS can successfully alleviate symptoms of OCD, even in patients who had not sufficiently improved from other forms of treatment and therapy.
Additionally, Deep TMS does not require anesthesia, can be incorporated into the individuals’ daily routine, and any long-lasting or significant side effects are very rare.
Natural Treatment: Helpful Foods
Various foods and essential nutrients can also be a very beneficial way to fight OCD symptoms. According to the Nutrition Journal, essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids are often exceptionally deficient in patients suffering from mental disorders, including OCD.
Nutrients: Crucial nutrients that have shown to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of OCD include:
● Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) — Found in fish like salmon, herring, canned tuna, and sardines; egg yolks; cow’s milk; and mushrooms
● Zinc — From oysters, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, yeast, crab, and beef
● Magnesium — From green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and squash
● Vitamin B 12 (cyanocobalamin) — From egg yolks, liver, tofu, trout, and real cheese
● Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids — Fish and other seafood, flax seeds, chia seeds, and brussel sprouts.
Lifestyle Treatment: Mindfulness And Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation can be an immensely effective natural OCD treatment that you can utilize at any time of day or night with just a little practice, dedication and time. This age-old mind centering technique encourages awareness and thought control, which can help someone living with OCD be more in control of their feelings and urges as they develop. This awareness is essential in learning to resist the types of undesirable repetitive behaviors that typically occur due to triggering sensations. According to many researchers, meditation has shown great results in some OCD patient’s behavior and thought processes.
Pharmaceutical Drugs
If all other treatment methods fail, then your mental health provider will likely prescribe medications and pharmaceutical drugs that are most suitable for you. Drugs called serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), selective SRIs (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants help those with more severe OCD. They work by increasing levels of serotonin. Examples include clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline.
Final Thoughts
Strong word of caution: It’s extremely important to note that psychiatric medications can easily lead to worsening of symptoms or terrible side effects in certain individuals, such as suicide or getting admitted into institutions. Thus, it’s best and safest to steer clear from these potentially risky drugs if at all possible.
Also, if you know someone who has been prescribed medications for OCD or some other mental health condition, never self-diagnose and start taking any drugs that were not prescribed for you. Even if you have similar symptoms, the medication may cause you serious harm.
Lastly, If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may have OCD, make an appointment with an OCD specialist right away to get evaluated- the longer OCD goes untreated, the worse it will get.
