When someone you care about suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, it can feel like there’s nothing you can do to help them. But this isn’t true—with the right support, those suffering from OCD can get better over time and live happier lives. The first step in finding out how to help someone with OCD is to learn all you can about this condition and how it affects people you love. Here are some steps that will help you do that and ultimately be a valuable resource as your loved one works through their challenges with OCD.
What is OCD?
OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a mental health condition that affects both adults and children. So what does it mean to have OCD? Well, the Mayo Clinic defines it as a type of anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions) that they can’t seem to stop or get rid of. People who have OCD are often aware of these obsessions and compulsions. They feel like they need to do something in order to make themselves feel better and be comfortable. This could mean excessive hand washing or checking locks on doors multiple times. It can also mean getting certain thoughts out of your head by doing a certain behavior over and over again so that the thought goes away for a little while.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and is characterized by unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that interfere with daily functioning. While many people experience obsessive thoughts from time to time, someone with OCD will spend at least one hour per day on their obsessions without realizing it, causing distress or impairment in social, work, or other areas of life. It’s not uncommon for someone living with OCD to feel like they have no control over their own thoughts.
Compulsions are the actions a person engages in as a way of managing their anxiety related to obsessions. These can take the form of washing hands excessively, checking things repeatedly or having an intense need for symmetry in their environment.
Causes of OCD
There are many potential causes of obsessive compulsive disorder, and the causes can be different for each person. For some people, OCD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Genetics may also play a role in developing OCD. In addition, traumatic events can trigger symptoms of OCD. Other contributing factors include: depression or anxiety, stress or lack of sleep, drug abuse, or having too much caffeine.
How to Help Someone with OCD
It can be hard to know how to help someone with OCD. If you don’t know the person well, you might feel like you don’t want to get involved. It’s ok to be hesitant, but it is always worth checking in with them. I’m not a therapist or psychologist, so I can’t tell you what specifically they need from you.
But here are some general things that might be helpful:
– Listen without judgment and ask questions if they want to talk about their OCD.
– Help them find resources in the community that can offer support with OCD.
– Help them make changes in their lifestyle that will relieve some of the stress and anxiety that comes with having OCD.
When to Seek Professional Help
Seeking professional help for someone with OCD is not always easy to do. The best time to consider it is when the person’s symptoms are significantly impacting their quality of life or ability to function. If they are having difficulty performing day-to-day tasks, this may be a sign that they need more help than you can provide. It’s important to note that medication is not always necessary or appropriate. For some people, therapy will be all they need while others might benefit from both therapy and medication. Ultimately, the decision to seek professional help should be made in conjunction with the person living with OCD and should come down to what will work best for them and their unique needs.
Can ketamine therapy help with ocd?
Ketamine therapy can help manage the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression in some cases. It is not a magic bullet, but it may be able to help those who struggle with debilitating ocd or ocd-related depression.
There are many different types of ketamine therapy treatments. Ketamine may be given as an IV drip in which the patient is monitored by medical staff at all times.
The use of ketamine has grown in recent years, with those who are suffering from depression looking to ketamine therapy as a potential solution. It has been found that ketamine can help with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by acting on the glutamate receptors in the brain. Ketamine IV can help with OCD by reducing the symptoms related to it, such as obsessive thoughts and compulsions.
A medical professional specializing in mental health can best diagnose your problem and recommend the best course of treatment. Contact us today to learn more.
Content Writer: John Annunziata / The Remedy Health + Wellness