The obsessive thoughts and compulsions associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can ruin relationships and severely restrict one’s ability to interact with the world. That is why a recovery plan for OCD is absolutely necessary.
Since many types of obsessive-compulsive disorder exist, such as cleanliness, checking, pure-o and religious OCD, no single article can provide a treatment plan to fit every type of the disease. Nevertheless, the following information can help any type of OCD sufferer.
The Need of a Diagnosis for OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, unlike a heart attack or a broken leg, is difficult to diagnose at onset. The sufferer may be ashamed to talk about their obsessive thoughts or rituals with other people, or might even think that their compulsions (whether constant hand washing or continuous repentance) are necessary for their well-being. It may take years, in fact, before an OCD patient ever contacts a psychologist or psychiatrist for help.
OCD, like any disease, can be misdiagnosed as another condition. The physician, psychologist or psychiatrist who makes the decision should have an effective understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If possible, the patient should be aware of OCD’s common symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD Patients
The AnxietyNetwork.com article “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” explains the concept of cognitive behavioral therapy as a treatment method that focuses on the thoughts, emotions and behavior of patients. One successful type of CBT is known as exposure-response prevention, or ERP. To understand how it works, one must first understand the nature of OCD.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by a series of obsessive thoughts, such as overwhelming fears of disease (cleanliness OCD) or extended broodings over sin and morality (scrupulosity), that cause painful anxiety for the obsessive-compulsive patient. To relieve such anxiety, the sufferer performs stress-relieving compulsions that characterize their condition.
Exposure-response prevention makes use of the concept of habituation, as explained in Bruce M. Hyman and Cherry Pedrick’s The OCD Workbook. When one is exposed for an extended period of time to the sources of his or her obsession or fear (be it germs, disorder or disturbing thoughts) without performing the usual fear-relieving compulsions, Hyman and Pedrick explain, his or her mind will grow accustomed to the source, thus decreasing the fear of it. In this way, the obsessive-compulsive patient can decrease his or her anxiety without the use of compulsions.
Exposure-response prevention requires dedication and (in many cases) professional oversight, but the results – diminished obsessions and compulsions – are well worth the effort.
Read this article for a Christian perspective on treating religious OCD with exposure-response prevention therapy.
Medication and OCD Treatment
For many, cognitive-behavioral therapy such as ERP is not enough to stop obsessive thoughts. That is where medication for OCD becomes helpful. Although some may have a stigma against taking psychoactive drugs, medications for obsessive-compulsive disorder exist simply to counter the chemical imbalances in the OCD patient’s brain. They make valuable aids to exposure-response prevention.
This article does not introduce or recommend specific medications; that is a task reserved for professional healthcare providers. It should be understood, however, that medication can greatly assist in the OCD treatment process for some patients.
Patience, Effort and Desire With OCD
There are some elements of OCD treatment which no cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication can provide, but are crucial to limiting the disorder’s effects. First, those suffering from OCD must be patient, as recovery (no matter one’s effort) can take months or years for progress to be made. In addition, the person suffering from obsessive thoughts should be ready to invest significant time and energy in curbing the effects of OCD. Finally, unless real desire exists on the patient’s part to improve their mental condition, little hope exists for him or her.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a frightening and damaging condition, but recovery is always possible. Anyone suffering from OCD should make treatment one of their top priorities.
Those who have experienced intrusive and anxiety-causing thoughts may be suffering from a type of OCD known as pure obsessions, or Pure-O, in which the sufferer’s fear is of the thoughts themselves. The article “Fighting Back Against Pure-O OCD” offers a treatment plan for dealing with this condition.
OCD patients obsessed over sin, morality, prayer or religious conduct should examine the condition of scrupulosity, a type of OCD with religious connotations. “The Negative Effects of Scrupulosity,” another article on obsessive-compulsive disorder, provides a starting point.
This article is not a substitute for a psychiatric or psychological treatment plan. It is meant merely as an introductory resource for OCD patients.
Sources:
"Misdiagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder," Wrongdiagnosis.com
"The Doubting Disease," a book on scrupulosity by Joseph W. Ciarrocchi
"The OCD Workbook, Second Edition," a guide on treating OCD by Bruce M. Hyman, PH.D, and Cherry Pedrick, RN
"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)," ADAA.org
"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD," nimh.nih.gov
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