Ways to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder characterized by unwanted obsessive thoughts and repetitive compulsive behaviors aimed at relieving the anxiety caused by these thoughts. There are several ways to treat OCD, including psychotherapy, drug therapy, and behavioral support, and I will explain some of them:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):

CBT is one of the most effective treatments. It relies on techniques such as exposure and response prevention (ERP), where a person is exposed to stimuli that trigger obsessions without performing compulsive behavior, which gradually reduces anxiety.

Medication:

Medication is used to reduce the symptoms of OCD, and antidepressants from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) class are common medications. It is best to prescribe medications under the supervision of a specialist doctor.

Relaxation and breathing exercises:

Relaxation techniques and deep breathing exercises help reduce stress and anxiety that may increase the severity of obsessions and compulsions.

Thought control therapy:

It depends on training the person to modify obsessive thoughts and differentiate between them and logical thoughts, which may reduce the control these thoughts have over him.