4 Ways To Deal With Chronic OCD

Chronic OCD
Chronic OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD is a serious anxiety disorder that has many symptoms, some controllable, and is seen as a permanent and lifelong affliction. For those suffering from OCD, it is not uncommon to go through different cycles and symptoms that include serious obsession, negative or unwelcome thoughts, and compulsions that often result in repetitive rituals that seem unbreakable. The most often recognized symptoms of OCD are a significant and rather obsessive fear of germs along with a necessary need for repetitive order.

OCD may not have a cure, but it is manageable and treatable up to a point. Treatment for OCD is possible with the following tips:

  1. Gain An Understanding

You can’t begin to treat or overcome OCD without taking the time to understand the condition along with its myriad symptoms. Most of us deal with this disorder at some point in our lives, but having the knowledge to even recognize its start can help with coping. Read all the available material that you can get your hands on so you can know the symptoms as well as your options for treatment.

  1. Work Around Your Compulsions

OCD has its basis in compulsions, and that often means you find yourself obsessing over simple nuances in your day to day life. For example, you may forget whether you’ve turned off the lights in your closet. Learn to step back and breathe to allow yourself to develop a mental picture to help you remember. If you can see yourself switching off the lights, chances are that you actually did. However, if you can’t conjure such an image, you may wish to act on your compulsion. For some people with the condition, maintaining a list they can check off can help deal with their compulsions and set their minds at ease.

  1. Control Your Thoughts With Journaling

Writing in a journal can often help give you back your powers of control and allow you to handle your OCD. Your journal is a safe place, so whatever you find yourself obsessing over, simply write it down. Then go over each item on your list and really consider whether it’s something that is worth your time and energy to invest in. Usually, this allows you to take back control and grasp a sense of reality that this is all in your mind.

  1. Compliment Yourself

Focus on the good aspects of your personality and don’t let the bad eclipse the good. It is easy to feel lost or even annoyed at yourself for forgetting certain things or obsessing over others. Just take it one day at a time and focus on all the good things in you and not the negativity.

 

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