Obsessive Compulsive Disorder -- What is it?
Before we look at OCD treatment options let us take a look at what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is.
As the name suggests it is a compulsion to perform rituals (such as the washing of hands). This compulsion temporarily relieves the stress of obsessive and recurring thoughts. In the case of constant hand washing it may be an obsessive fear of germ contamination.
Many sufferers of the disease are reluctant to admit that they have obsessions or compulsions as they feel embarrassed and may think they are crazy in some way. As a result it can go undiagnosed for many years. However, most people are likely to have experienced symptoms of OCD at some time in their lives, particularly in times of stress. Think about the time you had to keep going to the front door to check that it was locked even though you had already done this several times. Or avoiding cracks in the pavement. Hoarding is also considered to be a form of OCD.
And now on to the OCD treatments available...
Contents at a Glance
Medical Treatments
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
- An antidepressant which boosts the levels of serotonin in the brain. OCD suffers tend to have low serotonin levels.
- Tranquilizers
- This form of treatment can be habit-forming so should only be used for short periods of time. It is designed to reduce compulsive urges by relaxing the body. Tranquilizers may be prescribed to people with more severe OCD symptoms.
Psychotherapy
- Cognitive-behavior therapy
- Cognitive therapy is where a person learns to understand and change their thoughts and beliefs. In behavioral therapy the sufferer learns to change specific actions. The combination of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy and is a highly effective OCD treatment.
Other OCD Treatments
Books on OCD
The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/22/2008) 
Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/22/2008)
OCD in Children and Adolescents: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Manual
Amazon Price: $36.00 (as of 11/22/2008)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for OCD
Amazon Price: $24.30 (as of 11/22/2008)
How OCD affects me
Remember that OCD is very varied and can cover numerous obsessions. If you think a particular trait should be listed and it's not here please note this in the guest book below.
OCD Blog Visits
News, views and how others cope
- The OCD Blog: OCD Is A Full-Time Job, Even If I Don't Have One
- The Blogger says: this is a really great blog. ocd runs in my family and i seem to have a lot of magical thinking tendencies, but less of the hand washing sort, ...
- The OCD Blog
- About Me. theocdblogger: I'm a blogger with OCD. I hope this blog helps me. I hope this blog helps you. View my complete profile ...
- The OCD Blog
- The OCD blog features personal stories, news, commentary, and links to web resources about obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- OCD: Everything You Need to Know About Obsessive Compulsive ...
- Examples include The OCD Blog, Living With OCD, and OCD and More. Of course, feel free to tell people your own story on this site's forum too! ...
OCD treatments on YouTube
Your Feedback is Welcome
I hope you have found this lens to be help in some way. Please feel free to leave your comments.
Wbisbill wrote...
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Have a great Labor Day!
Posted August 30, 2008
