People with OCD find that traditional treatments for OCD focus primarily on one aspect of the condition. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is usually used to treat the condition. In some instances, a multi-pronged approach for OCD is integrated, which means a variety of treatment elements are available to help address all aspects of the individual. Thus, traditional treatments for OCD are often coupled with holistic treatments to maximize the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
The most widely known is the use of antidepressants such as clomipramine (also known as Anafranil) for the Treatment for OCD Saratoga. Unfortunately, clomipramine has been linked to the onset of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people already suffering from OCD. Furthermore, clomipramine tends to have very severe side effects, which include nausea, restlessness, dizziness, sexual problems, and depression. In addition, there are various reports of cognitive therapy being ineffective at treating OCD. Thus, people who suffer from OCD often need to try more natural treatments for OCD before they can find relief from the negative side effects of clomipramine.
Two other types of medications commonly used in the treatment of OCD include norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRE) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). NREs are used to curb the brain's neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine from being overwhelmed by excessive amounts of stress. Due to the way that nRE works, individuals who take it to stop obsessive behaviors and thoughts often experience mixed results and can even exacerbate their symptoms. SSRIs, however, work by trying to block the serotonin receptors from becoming overactive, thus ameliorating symptoms. While SSRIs are generally thought to be more effective than NRE, it is still important that people with OCD still should consult a therapist or psychologist before taking these medications.
Because of their similarity to psychotherapy in that they both attempt to identify and change distorted thoughts, many researchers have examined how they compare. Overall, both NRE and SSRIs are successful in reducing anxiety and removing the harmful thoughts from the mind. However, when a patient only undergoes psychotherapy treatment, they are able to learn new, more positive thoughts to replace the old ones and ultimately live more normal lives.
A very effective way of treating OCD is called cognitive therapy. This treatment involves talking with a therapist or psychiatrist about your thoughts and behaviors. The therapist then uses tools like cognitive restructuring and exposure techniques to help you realize that what you are doing is not healthy. After this realization, you can begin to incorporate new behaviors in replacement of your old ones. For example, if you were constantly worried about doing your laundry each morning but now you only do it once per week, you are able to overcome this overwhelming thought by replacing it with a more reasonable, day to day behavior.
As always, you should consult your doctor first before trying any self-treatment methods. Also as with any medication you should always keep your family informed of your treatment so that they are aware of any side effects. In most instances, you can discontinue the medications at any time without worrying about serious withdrawal symptoms. Your therapist may also be able to recommend a medication that is not addictive, or offer alternative therapies instead of psychotherapy. Your mental health professional in Saratoga should be able to provide you with more information on these Treatment for OCD Saratoga and to reach such professionals you can always visit the websites such as https://pinnaclebehavioralhealth.com