What is the Best Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Understanding The Nature Of OCD

The obsessions experienced in OCD are often irrational and cause extreme anxiety. Individuals perform compulsive behaviors or rituals to help stop obsessive thoughts.

This only eases the anxiety for a short time, and the obsessive thoughts will occur again. Many compulsions or rituals are time-consuming and interfere with daily life.

Signs And Symptoms Of OCD

When searching for “what is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder” it is essential to understand the signs and symptoms of the disorder.

Symptoms of OCD might depend on the type. Treating severe obsessive-compulsive disorder is often more difficult than treating mild symptoms. Searching “what is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder” can provide results for the five common types of OCD. The types of OCD include the following:

Contamination

Contamination OCD is the most common type of OCD. The focus of this type is on dirt and cleanliness. Symptoms of contamination OCD include:

• A strong fixation on dirt and germs
• Bathing, cleaning, or washing hands or surfaces over and over again

Harm

Harm OCD involves symptoms of:

• Unwanted and repeated thoughts related to possible harm to oneself or others.
• Repeatedly checking on things, such as whether the door is locked or the stove is off

Organization

Organization or symmetry OCD symptoms include:

• Experiencing a strong need to arrange or rearrange objects
• Getting upset if a specific order becomes disrupted

When searching for results on “what is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder,” you will find that therapy and medication are often recommended. Of course, not every person is the same, and there is no perfect treatment for everyone with OCD.

Some people can manage symptoms on their own, while others need more support and treatment. Regardless of the type of OCD, it is important that, when searching for “what is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder,” you find the treatment that is right for you and your unique circumstances.

What Is Mild OCD?

If you’re searching “what is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder” for mild OCD, symptoms may improve without needing treatment. Some at-home and holistic options for mild OCD might include:

• Managing stress and anxiety
• Practicing self-care
• Using relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation
• Practicing sleep hygiene and improving sleep quality

symptoms do not improve or become worse, seek professional treatment.

What Is Severe OCD?

If you’re searching “what is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder” for severe OCD, there may be some comorbidity. Severe OCD means that the obsessions and compulsions are causing significant distress. They are consuming large amounts of time in the person’s daily life. Severe OCD is often associated with other mental health disorders.

Common disorders that can co-occur with OCD are:

• Depression
• Other anxiety disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• Substance Use Disorder

Those with severe OCD are also at higher rates of suicidal ideation. Current suicidal ideation rates range between 6.4% and 75%. The factors that influence a higher rate of suicidal ideation are co-occurring mental health conditions like depression and substance use disorders.