Real Choices to Stop OCD

Anyone who has ever been stuck in an obsessive thought process has in some way wondered “How do I stop OCD; why can’t I control these thoughts?” Of course if the person was 100% open to new thoughts processes, stopping OCD would be easy. But that is the paradox of obsessive thought patterns. The mind is locked in a cycle that cannot simply be willed or wished away. This part of the mind is trapped in a vicious loop which resists logic, force and quite often medication.

Those with OCD may temporarily be able to distract disruptive thoughts by engaging in certain activities, but as soon as they relax, the cycle continues. This brings in another paradox; certain types of relaxation become a form of discomfort. They can’t stop OCD by staying busy and and they can’t feel comfortable when relaxing.

These paradoxes, these extremes are one of the reasons many have the misconception about OCD. Some actually believe it is an illness and it’s understandable, since no one intentionally chooses to have unwanted or disturbing ideas. No one purposely creates paradoxes within themselves they cannot solve.

There is an ongoing debate as to why the neurology of certain people creates obsessive and intrusive thought patterns. At this time no proven or clear cut scientific reason adequately explains the onset of OCD. In the past genetics and chemical imbalances have been common explanations, even though plenty of experts disagree with these assumptions or realize they are best inadequate and partial rationalizations.

Then what is OCD?

Plain and simple, OCD is a disorder. It’s right in the name, obsessive compulsive disorder; meaning an imbalance exists in the system of the mind or body. A portion of the persons thought or emotional processing abilities are conflicting with other internal processes. The system is out of sync with itself. The person is caught up in their own neurological civil war. These neurological confrontations not only create stress, they also don’t allow the person to be supportive of their own needs during times of stress.

Many who want to stop OCD assume an illness and a disorder to be the same thing. They’re not. There is no OCD virus or OCD gene. These one dimensional ideas used to explain complex interactions of the bodies nervous system maybe desirable, but they are inadequate. For those who wonder why there is no cure for OCD, the answer is simple; it is not an illness. To improve mental health, to stop OCD and effectively expand emotional well being, other perspectives are necessary.

How can you make changes in yourself to stop OCD?

Complex anxiety disorders such as OCD can be viewed as a set of coping mechanisms which have pushed to such an extreme, they no longer support the person. Emotional or cognitive limitations have been pushed past certain stress thresholds. Their system gets maxed out at and communications within the person have become counter productive. Certain thoughts or feelings are no longer able to find meaningful or productive resolution. They are trapped in a repetitive cycle.

Because the system has overloaded, the subconscious mind creates an emergency coping mechanism; the obsessions. The old way of coping with stress and life events have failed the person and without alternative choice, obsessions become a distraction, diverting attention away from the real stresses the person has not found a way to cope with.  

While effective, it is a faulty approach, since OCD severely limits choice. The person’s focus gets stuck on a meaningless, yet discomforting illusion part of them already realizes is not true. That is not an illness, but an internal processing ability and it can be changed. .

This is not always an easy concept to wrap ones head around. It most certainly is not as convenient of an idea as hereditary or being an illness. The real question is how do you stop OCD.

To stop OCD, the ideal situation is:

• The person realizes they have a problem. People tend not to change if they don’t see a reason for it
• The person is open to making changes in themselves. Most people with OCD tend to rigidly hold on to the things they know. Those who hold on tightly to the ideas of how they what things to be have difficulty letting go so things can be different
• The person is willing to participate in the change process
• The person has realistic expectations for making change. Many with OCD are impulsive, they want immediate change. They want what they want when they want it.
• The person works with someone who can help them embrace their sensitivities and sticking points. Someone who will help them work through needed areas of change in a way they can accept and understand.

For those with obsessive thoughts, this is often asking a lot. They want to change but already deal with internal conflicts and overwhelm. These are underlining considerations for those seeking OCD treatment. The best choice is a therapist who will provide a dynamic environment allowing the needed steps to be achieved with minimal discomfort, yet be adaptable enough to guide the client out of their zone of familiarity

Simple cut and dry answers don’t usually work for complex situations

To be in disorder or to have a disorder, means change is required in the system; some aspects of the person will benefit from readjustment or restructuring. For unwanted thinking patterns, this means the awareness levels, processing abilities, strategies and communications channels of thoughts, emotions and behaviors need modification to become more effective, at least in certain places.

That idea can be scary for those with OCD. Many have a strong dislike for the unknown and are used to holding on to what they are familiar with. Yet this should be a comforting approach to embrace. It opens the possibility of stopping the tiresome battles of will power or self control, the feelings of hopelessness and being victim to ones own mind. The idea of being dependent to medication for the rest of their life can begin to slip away. Accepting OCD as a disorder, which allows for the person to restructure themselves makes it easier to accept the needed treatment for change and reconditioning.

But I Can’t Change

But then again, maybe you can. The perspectives and strain of seeing the world through the eyes of obsessive thoughts often makes the simplest of ideas overwhelming. When thinking processes are stressed, solutions seem limited. That happens when emotions and ideas are not allowed to find completion, when they get stuck in a singular perspective or have dead ended in uncomfortable places.

It’s not that a person can’t change, it’s that there way of perceiving certain ideas or problems prevents them from understanding, accepting or interpreting what needs to change. These set patterns also have a strong connection to the emotional centers of the mind. Many studies have shown thought patterns and even the chemical composition of the mind change when thoughts are redesigned to effectively create solutions, when mindfulness is introduced and people are able to release negative emotions and make new neurological associations. The key to overcoming OCD is making sure the emotional aspects of the thought patterns become part of the change process. If not addressed, trying to stop OCD can be difficult.

97% is enough change

The field of epigenics has discovered that only about 3% of our DNA is set in stone. The other 97% is changeable. Thought patterns are always changeable. Emotional patterns are changeable. When ideas are locked in with no way out, some structural process of the persons thinking pattern needs to change. It may not be what the person wants to change, but given the alternative, it is a small price to pay.

At Designed Thinking we have been helping clients stop OCD, adequately diminishing its effects and doing so without the use of medication. Taking action can be scary, but to change, some form of action must be taken. Call the toll free number 866-718-9995 or leave a comment below.