Obsessive compulsive disorder has proven to be an illness
that has affected many lives. And it spares
no one, whether rich, poor, old and young. It is defined just as it is named and is
characterized by symptoms of ritualistic, repetitive actions like knob
turning, frequent hand washing, switching lights off and on and can sometimes
be
accompanied by nervous tics such as shoulder rotations, arm extensions,
facial expressions and a host of other habits and tics. It is followed by
anxious thoughts and feelings of panic which compel the sufferer to
perform anxious ritualistic actions, which takes a lot of time from the
person and sometimes the people around them, in order
to feel
temporary relief or a sense of balance.
With the time spent on these response actions, the person’s quality of life suffers
because of the disorder. Most if not all patients suffering from OCD realizes
that their
actions are irrational but they can’t help the strong need
to do
these. Having no clear known cause for the disorder, OCD is usually treated
by means of medication and CBT. Since it happens over a vast spectrum
severity, treatments can be different for each individual.
We aim to look for other ways and avenue a person could take in battling, managing and controlling the
disorder hence we shall be looking into other ways that could help an individual help
themselves
with some remedies that can be readily available to them outside of the
ususal drugs prescribed for OCD. And because of the variables of OCD, many
people suffering from the
disorder
has looked at home remedies and natural ways to get rid of the symptoms of
OCD in order to help them improve their way of living. We will be
looking at some of the alternative, home remedies for OCD this time.
Limiting Alcohol and Caffeine Intake
Cut back on stress-inducing substances like alcohol and
caffeine. Some people have mistakenly turned to alcohol and caffeine to try to
bear down on the symptoms of OCD. The
issue with these chemical inducing
substances
is that once the rush of caffeine or alcohol wears out the patient is left
with either a hangover or become jittery because of the amount of
caffeine in their system leaving the individual in a state of
lackluster. This could cause greater anxiety which sets off the OCD symptoms
in high gear making it difficult for the patient to operate and go
about their day even further.
Schedule and Stick to Meal Times
People’s bodies react negatively when under stress, deficient
of nutrients or when hungry, which can
result to an anxious mindset and increased stress levels. Make sure that you eat
healthy and on time each day to prevent the onset of anxiety and stress. Low
blood sugar causes body stress, aiding OCD symptoms along. Binge eating
as well as
eating your
food in a hurry only makes matters worse and is not recommended. Be
sure that you eat three square meals a day, taking care to chew on
your food thoughtfully and carefully.
Marijuana
More and more studies are coming out on the benefits of
medical marijuana to many ailments and
illnesses. The researches on the benefits of the plant are becoming increasingly
interesting to many who have little means to sustain the purchase of medication.
Marijuana
releases
dopamine in the brain helping an individual calm down, whilst causing the
feelings of pleasure and relief from stress. But because of legalities and
availability in some countries, marijuana is not always readily available to
patients suffering from one ailment or another. Before looking to use
marijuana medicinal reasons you want to
make sure
that it is regulated and legal to use in your area.
Massage
For thousands of years, massage has been lauded to be a tool
which detoxifies the body and a great way
to just ease and relax the mind of a person. To lower your stress levels, get regular
massages to calm your mind and alleviate it from urges to do ritualistic OCD
actions.
Regular Exercise
Take care of your metabolism and allow the release of healthy endorphins by means of regular exercise. It is the
cheapest and easiest manner to increase these good chemicals in your body. Go, get
out there
and make a regimen of exercising at least 3-4 times a week. Not
only does
exercise do wonders for our body, it also helps distract us from the things
that cause stress and anxiety. Get your blood-rate up by keeping your
physical condition in tip top shape through expelling stored up energy.
Doing so would likely allow you to avert OCD symptoms and behaviors. A natural
stress reliever, exercise is also a
good way to
take care of your mental health.
Ginko Biloba
SSRIs and other OCD medication have side effects and may
affect different people in different ways.
One of the side effects of OCD medication is sexual dysfunction. The herbal
supplement ginko biloba can aid the patient in getting back to their lives
whilst overcoming the side effects of SSRIs. Talk to your doctor about this.
Kava Kava
Much like marijuana, kava kava is not always legaly available
in some countries and are restricted in
some. However the benefits of kava kava to insomnia and anxiety, some of the side
effects of OCD, could help an individual suffering from the disorder to avoid
compulsiveness
or at the
very least cut back on the severity of the disorder.
Consulting
with your specialist before seeking out and using kava kava will be a good
discussion to have with your health care specialist.
Gotu Kola
This very strong herbal supplement is a means for treating
depression as well as anxiety. It has been used
in Chinese traditional medicine as well as Ayuverdic traditions for thousands and
thousands of years. Gotu kola is an ideal herbal supplement which helps
individuals overcome their anxiety and OCD trigger symptoms, allowing
patients to
operate
calmly sans the nervous tics and frequent distractions.
St.
John’s Wort
St John’s Wort is one of the better preferred treatments of
the herbal sort that has displayed positive
results on patients suffering from OCD. Taking a daily dose of the herbal medicine
allows for an easy manner of reducing stress levels, allowing clarity of mind
and
improved
mental focus. This can result in a reduction in compulsions, negative thoughts
and ritualistic behavior.
You do not
have to go at OCD on your own. It is important there is someone you can
talk to about the disorder because it studies has shown that there
is a link between OCD, depression and a high probability of risk of suicide. Seek
out the help of a therapist, a friend, a family member or a physician if you
think you or a family member may be suffering from OCD.
Get Sleep
Being sleep deprived can cause people to become anxious and
this rate exponentially rises when a person
suffering from OCD is deprived of a good night’s sleep. The lack of sleep can mess
with a person’s clarity and sense of wellness. Set a definite time for sleeping and
make sure
that you
stick to it. Making sure that your sleep space is conducive to good sleeping
habits is a must. No computers, mobile phones or devices should flank your bed.
Switch off the lights and allow yourself to relax in a comfortable bed.
Make a sleep schedule and stick to it. It may be challenging at first to follow this
waking, sleeping pattern but sticking to it will allow for a better habit of
sleeping
and waking on time. These things will allow you to become more energized
and noticeably less fatigues. Undefined and uncertain sleep patterns
can equate to clinical depression making the symptoms of OCD worse.
Quit Smoking
Smoking cigarettes are detrimental to people who siuffer from
OCD, the rush and depletion as well as the
addictive nature of cigarette smoking makes for a dangerous combination for
those already suffering
from OCS.
To increase the level of patterned behavior is not a helpful thing
when suffering from OCD.