Therapy for OCD Disorder – 6 Strategies

The therapy for OCD disorder may be a singular strategy or a combination of several techniques. The growing dissatisfaction with fast relief but problem laden pharmacotherapy has led physicians to explore more innovative combinations of therapy for OCD disorder.

Therapy for OCD Disorder – Individual Therapy
The therapist works one on one with the patient to desensitize him/her of harmful thoughts. This is done by working together to identify unreasonable obsessions. Then, the patient is taught to relearn his/her reactions.

Individual therapy, even used alone, has registered long term success rates of up to six years. However, many patients need booster sessions, say, once or twice a year, tapering off to every couple of years.

Therapy for OCD Disorder – Pharmacotherapy
The main problem with pharmacotherapy is that the symptoms of OCD return when medication is discontinued. The advantage, on the other hand, is immediate relief.

Although growing dependence on medication may turn out to be a separate problem on its own, physicians have ways of alternating methods of therapy for OCD disorder that will lessen the possibility of drug dependence.

Therapy for OCD Disorder – Herbal Treatments
Although further testing is needed, the following herbs are reportedly effective as mild therapy for OCD disorder.

• St. John's Wort
• Kava-kava
• Valerian Root
• Ginkgo Biloba

Therapy for OCD Disorder – Group Therapy
Therapists use this technique to support individual therapy. In group therapy, the OCD patient interacts with fellow sufferers, sharing experiences and discussing coping techniques.

This method gives patients encouragement, emotional support, and lessens a sufferer's isolation.

Therapy for OCD Disorder – Family Therapy
It can't be denied that OCD not only affects the patient but his/her family as well. A poor understanding of the disorder within the family can lessen the positive impact of even the best therapy for OCD disorder.

That's why therapists often recommend family therapy on top of other methods. Aside from giving the patient support, family therapy also helps reduce conflicts in the home. What's more, it can teach and motivate members to help a loved one, speeding up healing time.

Therapy for OCD Disorder – Psychosurgery
If OCD has reached the severely crippling stage and no longer responds to other methods, psychosurgery may be an option. The most popular type of psychosurgery is cingulotomy. It involves the removal of the cingulate cortex, a part of the brain.

How often does psychosurgery succeed? Around 30% of psychosurgery patients experience significant improvement. But there's a risk of complications, such as personality changes, seizures, etc. That's why this is an absolute last resort, considered only when no other therapy will work.