Holistic treatment for OCD
An often inappropriately described, but widely understood illness, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is widely cited as having a lifetime prevalence of over 2 percent for adults 18 years and older. The diagnosis of this disorder is done by a therapist, who will be looking for a few key things. They will check for obsessions, partnered compulsive behaviors, and some sort of proof that the cycle of obsessions and compulsions gets in the way of important activities that the sufferer values. Studies have shown that OCD is a brain disorder, involving issues in communication between the front part and the deeper structure of the brain. Additionally, research has shown that OCD does have a tendency to run in families.
There are a wide variety of resources and options available when it comes to treating OCD. A majority of sufferers often benefit from a combination of different options. Ultimately, treatment for OCD can take many forms, though a significant number of people may benefit from seeking holistic treatment for this disorder. Here are some holistic treatments for OCD that may work for yourself or someone you love.
What Is OCD Exactly?
OCD is a mental health disorder that often occurs when a person is caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. While a majority of people may experience some form of obsession or compulsion throughout their life, it is important to note that not everyone has some form of OCD. In order for an official diagnosis to occur, an individual needs to suffer from such an extreme cycle that it begins to get in the way of important events or activities which are otherwise valuable to that person.
Obsessions are often described as thoughts or impulses that occur frequently and feel incapable of being controlled. The distinction between an obsession and a much more simple intrusive thought is often in the details. An intrusive thought may pop up unwarranted, but it can be moved aside eventually and forgotten about. An obsession is often wholly unmoving, preventing someone suffering from OCD from focusing on anything else, even if they desperately want to.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors, or even thoughts, that are undergone in the hope of neutralizing an obsession in some way. It is common for someone suffering from OCD to realize that acting out their compulsion does not permanently help them to cope with their obsession. Unfortunately, in addition to being temporary, compulsions often get in the way of everyday life to a considerable degree.
A cycle of obsessions and compulsions may be confused for a ritual, which nearly all of us engage in to some degree or another. Following a specific skincare routine before bed is often a positive function in daily life. Arranging books in a very particular way makes sense in a variety of contexts that are all perfectly reasonable. For many sufferers of OCD, they feel driven to engage in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions, often wishing that they did not need to engage in a particular activity just to feel better because it is so time-consuming. While it is not impossible to live a fruitful life with untreated OCD, leaving OCD completely unchecked is likely to prove disastrous.
What If I Don’t Seek Treatment For OCD?
Allowing your OCD to go untreated can have disastrous effects on your life and those closest to you. This can be especially true when OCD is left untreated in young adults or children. Common dangers of untreated OCD can include:
- Academic failure
- Depression
- Loss of sleep
- Isolation
- Physical and emotional exhaustion
- Panic attacks
There is a fairly wide range of lesser, secondary issues that may arise as well. Often times, sufferers of OCD may also develop hoarding tendencies, begin to pick at their skin or pull their hair, or they may develop an eating disorder. These behaviors often develop as a connection to an anxiety disorder or general dysfunctional beliefs. It can be important to have some sort of psychological assessment to determine what is OCD related and what is not. Ultimately, the best decision to make when looking to preserve or begin correcting the trajectory of your mental health will be to seek treatment. If you prefer methods that may be deemed more natural, seeking holistic treatment may be best for you.
Holistic Treatment For OCD
Not to be confused with alternative styles of medicine, holistic treatment methods are techniques that have been proven to work for a significant number of individuals when treating any number of illnesses. Often times, a holistic method is simply a prescribed healthier lifestyle, where an individual has been instructed to eat a particular, healthy diet. Other times, seeking holistic treatment means engaging in a specific type of therapy or exercising on a regular schedule.
One overwhelmingly effective holistic method of treatment for this disorder is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is the process by which pulses, delivered in short intervals, are delivered with a focus on the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex. The sensation that is often described with this treatment is a mild tapping on the scalp. A significant number of TMS patients often cite the following benefits:
- A decrease in depressive or OCD symptoms
- Better sleep
- Better concentration
Side effects to this type of treatment are often minimal, including light headaches from where the device is placed. These can be easily prevented with over-the-counter remedies, which are allowed up to thirty minutes before the session begins. Efficacy rates across over 3,000 published papers are quite high, with an average positive response rate well above 50 percent.
There is no better time than right now to begin pursuing potential OCD treatments for yourself or someone you love. Pick up your phone and reach out to us directly at 310.878.4346 for more information. Your path to a better tomorrow may only be a phone call away.