Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
When it comes to OCD, it often seems as if every available treatment includes taking medication. For many people, that approach is unacceptable. It’s one of the reasons alternative ways are sought to combat OCD, such as meditation or prayer, vitamins or herbal supplements. While helpful for some and wonderful complimentary practices, on their own they aren’t powerful enough deal with the real issues supporting obsessive thought processes.
So what options do OCD sufferers have in making real changes to make life acceptable again? What really needs to be addressed and what core issues create and support the obsessions? How is someone able to create long lasting change without the use of long term medication?
Why Many Needlessly Remain Stuck
The average person with OCD will spend years researching the subject, trying to make sure they don’t approach it from the wrong angle. Others want the magic bullet, the “Give me that one thing that will fix me.” Unfortunately research and data doesn’t compensate for emotional sensitivities and those with OCD are not broken, but they do need to make changes..
Many with OCD have an aversion to the unknown or unexpected change, which should not be surprising since they are in constant battle with a part of themselves they are trying to control. This inner conflict often produces heightened fears or stubbornness to face certain unknowns. Others with OCD have a fear of letting people down or an embarrassment of dealing with sensitive issues.
These sensitivities surrounding OCD need to be addressed. If overlooked or minimized, a shift in the obsessive patterns can be difficult. At Designed Thinking we understand the emotional support needed to turn sensitivities around. Without a safe and supportive individualize approach, the person may still find themselves seeking help decades later.
Keep in mind everyone obsesses differently. There is no single answer or reason the process of OCD becomes a fixture in someones thinking process. But there are always areas of sensitivity and you have to address the real issues supporting the needs of the individual. While people can be placed into the categories of different OCD symptoms, how someone creates and experiences OCD is still unique. Their perspectives and how they see the world needs to be respected. Trying force someone with OCD to change is an exercise in futility.
When clients with OCD make the needed neurological shifts, their perspectives and habits become more supportive of their overall well being. They begin resolving internal conflicts and become more effective at dealing with background sensitivities. These changes can be quite profound in keeping unwanted thought processes in check.
Avoidance only prolongs suffering
Avoidance of help only prolongs the process of suffering and over time, obsessions can become more intense. Hoping OCD will go away or just stop on its own is wishful thinking. It’s understandable that people would want to hope for the best. Unfortunately, in the long run OCD can leave people feeling hopeless about their situation
It’s no secret, that without action, nothing will change. The unwanted thoughts or behaviors of OCD aren’t going to magically go away. No one becomes more effective at dealing with stress unless they are willing grow options and change how they deal with their sensitivities. Sometimes the only way that is going to happen is with outside help
logic Alone will not satisfy irrational ideas or behaviors
Those suffering from OCD try the rational approach, as if that really addresses emotional issues. Loved ones speak to them about common sense; yet it goes on deaf ears because no amount of reassurance satisfies the irrational. Unfortunately, the more irrational thoughts become, the more people try to use logic to combat what they don’t fully understand. They get more facts on OCD, yet the information alone doesn’t change how someone processes life.
Positive thinking isn’t going to make obsessions disappear. When the mind is locked onto an idea, the illusion of happy thoughts will not make OCD go away. Strong impulses and urges tend to override the positive outcomes of well intended thoughts.
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Many reports conclude those suffering with OCD are condemned to a life time of prescription medication, making them a victim of their own mind. Some have bought into the idea these symptoms stem from irreversible chemical imbalances or genetic defects. Not only is this not a scientific fact, it completely rules out personal choice and the inherent ability we can all change.
When one reads the literature on OCD or anxiety disorders, they will find statements beginning with, “The condition is believe to be attributed to, it may be caused by, studies point to, etc”. Those are no very scientific statements. For those with OCD, this doesn’t really answer how thoughts are formed or why they become stuck. It certainly doesn’t explain how people change when they begin processing information and emotional sensitivities more effectively.
With OCD, the connection between emotional urges and cognitive reasoning has become jumbled. Fortunately it doesn’t need to remain this way. Behavioral changes can be achieved. Emotional tensions and anxieties can be overcome. Cognitive choices can improve.
Changing Emotional and Mental Patterns
Each of us has an influence on how we process information and emotions. Our choices; consciously or unconsciously support us or minimize our abilities to effectively respond. Some will subconsciously developed thought patterns which limit choice and become self defeating. With OCD, inner conflicts must be resolved or integrated. Additional cognitive abilities are created to offer alternative choices.
Thought patterns are not predetermined. Emotional patterns are not predetermined. How we respond to the world is not predetermined. They are complex, they are created, they are learned and while we are creatures of habits, these attributes can be changed.
When clients begin addressing root issues underneath OCD differently; they begin creating new choices, giving themselves the option to cope with stress in new ways. While stress may be part of the human experience, staying stuck in unwanted thoughts is not
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“This time last year I was at a point where I couldn’t help myself. I wonder today where I would be now if I hadn’t begun talking to you and been guided to the place I am now, where I am so grateful for the help you have given.” Julie Pouliot, former OCD sufferer OCD Symptoms are Not the Real Problem
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