Navigating OCD: Tips And Techniques For Managing Symptoms Successfully

It’s normal to double check the gas knob for safety reasons but if you are dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour can hijack your day and interfere with your life. We spoke to Dr Gorav Gupta CEO, Senior Psychiatrist Tulasi Healthcare to understand how one can manage OCD symptoms with medications and treatments. 

What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterised by unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviour that you are compelled to perform. If you are suffering from OCD, you probably know that your behaviour is abnormal but you can’t resist them.

How To Manage OCD Symptoms

Here’s how you can manage OCD symptoms: 

Eat A Healthy And Balanced Diet

Food has a major impact on our behaviour and thus it is advisable to consume a healthy diet regularly. Stick to a balanced combination of nutrients and avoid caffeine and alcohol.   

Ensure A Proper Sleep Cycle

The anxiety due to OCD can make it challenging to sleep. But sleep is important to ensure good mental health. You can practise meditation and set a routine to ensure sound sleep of at least 6 to 7 hours.

Don't Miss: Why Adult ADHD Diagnoses Are Soaring: Navigating Life Post-Diagnosis

Be Physically Active

Exercise is important not only to keep the body fit but also to manage hormones. In an anxious state, our body releases a hormone called cortisol, which can be harmful after a certain level. Regular exercise can keep your cortisol levels in check. 

Ensure Proper Medications

If nothing works for you, contact a doctor for medical support and take your medications on time. 

Don't Miss: Can Men Get Infections From Period Blood? Debunking Myths About Menstrual Sex

Treatment For OCD

Medicinal intervention is a necessary step to aid the other methods of therapeutic treatments for OCD. Since OCD is attributed to an imbalance of neurotransmitters, SSRIs and SNRIs are deployed for management. Some of the common medications that are prescribed for the treatment of OCD include: 

• Citalopram
• Escitalopram
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Paroxetine
• Sertraline

Other than medications OCD patients are treated with therapy which is based on the patient’s condition: 

• CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) & ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention)
• DTMS (Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

You are advised to contact a doctor before taking any medications and therapy. 

Herzindagi.com is Jagran New Media's gender and lifestyle vertical, catering to women of all age groups, helping them remain updated, on-trend and aware. To improve our performance and understand our readers' interests better, we have created this poll. This will take 2 minutes of your time, do help us out with this link.  

Image Courtsey: Freepik