What is the Best Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

What is OCD? What is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder? Read on to find out.

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? What is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition defined by obsessions and compulsions. It is often a frequent and repetitive behavior.

Obsessions include unwanted and intrusive thoughts or urges that cause distress and anxiety, such as a fear of germs, unwanted or aggressive thoughts towards yourself or others, or needing everything in perfect condition. Compulsions are behaviors or rituals performed to reduce or ease the anxiety and distress caused by the obsessions, such as excessive cleaning, compulsive counting, or arranging materials in a precise way.¹

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:²

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:³

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

Rumination

Rumination OCD is also referred to as obsessions without visible compulsions. These involve unwanted thoughts, images, or urges around aggressive, sexual, or violent themes.

Symptoms include:⁴

Troubling thoughts that are against personal values or beliefs
Extreme avoidance of anything that may trigger the obsessions

Hoarding

Hoarding OCD is different from hoarding disorder. Those with hoarding disorder gather items because they believe there is value in them.

People with hoarding-type of OCD collect items in response to an obsessive thought or anxiety. The items are often unwanted, but they believe getting rid of items may cause something bad to happen.⁵

What is the Best Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

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:⁶

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

If 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.⁷

Treatment for Severe OCD

The best treatment for severe OCD includes the same practice of self-care and relaxation as mild OCD, but therapy and possible medication are also often required. For some individuals with severe OCD, a residential treatment facility may be the best option.

Residential treatment can assist those neglecting their activities of daily living. It was developed for those who are struggling with managing their symptoms at home.

Treatment Opportunities

The best treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder may include the following:

Therapy: The most effective therapy for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP). ERP involves exposing individuals to their feared obsessions. By working with a therapist to learn how to cope with the anxiety caused by the obsessions, individuals gain control over their responses.⁸
Medication: Certain antidepressant medication is also effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. The most effective form of medication is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).⁹
Neuromodulation: This form of treatment is used to treat more severe and resistant OCD. Neuromodulation includes transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation. TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, while deep brain stimulation involves implanting electrodes in certain areas of the brain. These electrodes send electrical signals to regulate abnormal signals.¹⁰

Where to Find Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in North Carolina?

If you are searching for “what is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder” and you live in North Carolina’s Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding towns), Advaita Integrated Medicine (AIM) can help. We believe that everyone has the chance to flourish in their lifetime. Our experts are here to help you feel your absolute best.

At AIM, we offer a variety of programs designed to assist individuals with mental health conditions and substance abuse. Our programs consist of an interdisciplinary approach that includes the following treatment options:

Medication management
Psychiatry
Therapy/counseling
Primary care

AIM Higher: Find Personalized Treatment Opportunities Today

What is the best treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder? The answer to that question will vary from person to person – but our knowledgeable and compassionate AIM staff will help you find out.

We will work with you to create an individual treatment program that meets your needs.

For more information about OCD and treatment options, contact us at 919.893.4465 and get started on treatment for OCD today. We can’t wait to meet you and see you thrive!

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Questions About Treatment?

Reach out to Advaita Integrated Medicine today and let us guide you toward a full and rewarding life uninhibited by mental health or substance use disorder challenges. We are here to support you every step of the way.

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