Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Curable?
Most people are familiar with the traditional portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—a person who needs things to be clean and tidy. While this is how some OCD is manifest, it’s not a full picture of the disorder.
People with OCD experience intrusive thoughts that compulsively lead to certain behaviors. When intrusive thoughts begin, they induce anxiety which makes it difficult to ignore. In short, obsessive thoughts are the engine and the compulsions are the actions.
The way OCD manifests depends on what kind of obsessions someone with OCD experiences. These categories can overlap, but they all share the common thread - if the compulsion isn’t lived out, harm will occur.
1.2% of Americans experience OCD and over half of them self-reported their symptoms as being a serious impairment. If you or a loved one are suffering from OCD you may be asking how to get rid of OCD permanently. However, That may not be the right question to ask.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- If OCD can be cured
- How OCD can be treated
- How to start receiving treatment for OCD
Can OCD Be Cured?
Seeking a cure for a disorder is natural and understandable. OCD can be hard to live with. Sadly there is no cure for OCD. However, it can be treated to a degree that it won’t rule your daily life.
Symptoms of OCD may come and go over time, but there’s no way to get rid of the disorder completely. Learning how to positively cope with OCD is the only way to decrease the intensity of symptoms.
Can OCD Be treated?
Hearing that OCD is a chronic (lifetime) disorder is probably not what you want to hear. Luckily, symptoms of OCD can become manageable with the correct treatment. 32-74% of adult OCD patients experience clinical improvement over the long term.
Depending on the severity of your disorder, relieving symptoms can take a long time, but it is possible.
Treatments for OCD
Because OCD is notoriously difficult to treat, there aren’t many treatment options available for it. The options available for treating OCD include:
- Talk therapy
- Mindfulness training
- Medication
The best approach to treating OCD includes a healthy combination of each facet.
Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common therapy for treating OCD. This is because CBT helps the patient break down their thoughts and connect them to their feelings and actions.
During CBT, therapists will help the patient identify automatic negative thoughts that lead to compulsions. The patient and therapist will work together to find ways to reframe intrusive thoughts and adopt healthy behaviors.
While the counselor is present during therapy, the patient is considered the expert.
Mindfulness
A major component of CBT is mindfulness. It’s difficult to identify these problems with accuracy without the ability to examine your thoughts closely. To help increase mindfulness, therapists may ask the patient to do daily mindfulness training.
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Guided imagery
- Breathing techniques
- Body scanning
Each of these exercises are daily practices anyone can do to relax their mind and body while increasing their mindfulness.
People being treated for OCD will benefit from mindfulness practices because it helps them be more aware of their thoughts. Creating a higher awareness of thoughts will help them understand thoughts for what they are rather than dwell on them.
To learn more about mindfulness practices that help increase awareness, read our articles on mindfulness movement exercises and mindfulness breathing exercises.
Medication
While attending talk therapy, someone with OCD might be prescribed medicines. Someone may be prescribed medicines during OCD treatment if:
- Their symptoms are fairly severe
- If their symptoms are causing comorbid issues like depression
- Or if talk therapy alone isn’t showing results
The most common medicines prescribed for OCD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are a type of antidepressant that increases serotonin levels in the brain.
OCD treatment may last an entire lifetime. However, SSRIs might only be prescribed for a year. It may take a couple of months of taking an SSRI before a patient notices any decrease in symptoms. Once the patient and therapist feel symptoms are manageable enough, SSRI doses are usually tapered over time.
Inpatient Treatment
In-patient treatment facilities are a great option for those with OCD. While at a residential treatment facility, you’ll be free of daily distractions and you’ll be able to focus on what you need.
Receiving in-patient treatment may not be that much of a choice for some people. Those with severe OCD symptoms could be hospitalized if it becomes necessary. This level of care is only necessary if symptoms are unable to care for themselves or if they pose a danger to others or themselves.
While attending a residential treatment program you’ll have access to several kinds of therapy and recreational activities as well as around-the-clock care. After attending in-patient therapy you’ll likely continue treatment and you’ll be better equipped to manage your symptoms.
Begin OCD Treatment At Sequoia Behavioral Health
Instead of asking if a mental health disorder is curable, ask what help is available. Mental health is a lifelong journey and even though symptoms may never go away for good, finding a supportive community will help you live life the way you intend to.
Sequoia Behavioral Health is an evidence-based healing community offering a holistic treatment program for mental health and addiction issues. We are dedicated to making a difference in every client’s life. Our residential treatment facility located in Mesa, AZ is equipped to be your home away from home.
Start the process of joining us by verifying your insurance and contact us for the next steps.