Research indicates that OCD, when left untreated, may grow to consume more and more of an individual’s life. The following is a list of treatment modalities (not exhaustive) found to be effective for OCD:
- Exposure with Response-Prevention (ERP) (e.g., exposure to the obsession – resisting the compulsion)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Relaxation techniques (used as an adjunct)
- Medication:
- Serotonin Selective Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s): Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Cipralex, Luvox, Zoloft
- Tricyclic: Anafranil
- Other: (e.g., Naturopathy)
Gifts that Often Appear With OCD
OCD is a treatable disorder. Those who suffer with “unmanaged” OCD may view this disorder as a “curse.” However, once OCD is “tamed” using skill sets and various tools offered in treatment, the energy once spent on obsessions and compulsions can be channeled into more productive endeavors. Often, individuals diagnosed with OCD are known to possess the following characteristics:
Highly Intelligent
Highly Productive
Unusually Creative
Unusually Observant
Extraordinarily Compassionate