Managing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

If you have been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you may be relieved that you now know why you have felt or behaved a certain way. You may also feel overwhelmed about the treatment ahead, how to get the support you need, and how to deal with the condition day-to-day. With treatment and support, you can manage your OCD.

How to manage lifestyle changes

Managing stress

Stress is your body's reaction to life changes and events, both good and bad. Stress can play a major role in OCD, so it is important to learn how to manage stress. Some techniques to manage stress include:

• Meditation, muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises.
• Exercise. Even a short daily walk can help to lower stress levels.
• Getting enough high-quality sleep.
• Spending time on hobbies that you enjoy.
• Accepting and letting go of things that you cannot change.

To help you manage stress associated with OCD, your health care provider may recommend a type of behavior therapy called exposure and response prevention therapy. In this therapy, you will be exposed to the distressing situation that triggers your compulsion and be prevented from responding to it. With repetition of this process over time, you will no longer feel the distress or need to perform the compulsion.

Medicines

• Talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about all medicines that you take, their possible side effects, and which medicines are safe to take together.
• Make it your goal to take part in all treatment decisions (shared decision-making). Ask about possible side effects of medicines that your health care provider recommends, and tell him or her how you feel about having those side effects. It is best if shared decision-making with your health care provider is part of your total treatment plan.
• Avoid using alcohol and other substances that may prevent your medicines from working properly.

If you are taking medicines as part of your treatment, do not stop taking them before you ask your health care provider if it is safe to stop. You may need to have the medicine slowly decreased (tapered) over time to lower the risk of harmful side effects.

Relationships

Consider giving education materials to friends and family. Your family and friends may need to learn about your OCD in order for them to understand you and support you as you manage your condition. Family therapy may also help to lower stress and relieve tension.

How to recognize changes in your condition

• Being anxious about germs or dirt.
• Having harmful thoughts about yourself or others.
• Making sure that household objects are alike or perfectly organized in a specific way.
• Having great difficulty making decisions, or second-guessing yourself after making a decision.
• Constant cleaning and handwashing.
• Repeating behavior such as repeatedly checking to see if a door is locked or the oven is off.
• Counting nonstop or uncontrollably.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Check with your health care provider before starting any new prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

General instructions

• Ask for support from trusted family members or friends to make sure you stay on track with your treatment.
• Keep a journal to write down your daily moods, medicines, sleep habits, and life events. Doing this may help you have more success with your treatment.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
  • Eating a healthy diet.
  • Avoiding alcohol.
  • Avoiding products that contain nicotine and tobacco.
  • Exercising regularly.
  • Getting plenty of sleep.
  • Taking time to relax.
• Keep all follow-up visits. This includes visits with your health care provider and therapist. This is important.

Where to find support

Talking to others

• Start by sharing your experience with OCD. It is up to you how much detail you want to provide.
• Let your family and friends know that you are seeking treatment.
• Do not expect family and friends to understand your condition right away.

Finances

Not all insurance plans cover mental health care, so it is important to check with your insurance carrier. If paying for co-pays or counseling services is a problem, search for a local or county mental health care center. Public mental health care services may be offered there at a low cost or no cost when you are not able to see a private health care provider.

If you are taking medicine for depression, you may be able to get the generic form, which may be less expensive than brand-name medicine. Some makers of prescription medicines also offer help to people who cannot afford the medicines they need.

Questions to ask your health care provider

• If you are taking medicines:
  • How long do I need to take medicine?
  • Are there any long-term side effects of my medicine?
  • Are there any alternatives to taking medicine?
• How would I benefit from therapy?
• How often should I follow up with a health care provider?

Where to find more information

• International OCD Foundation: www.iocdf.org
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): www.nami.org
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): www.samhsa.gov

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms get worse or they do not get better with treatment.
• You develop new symptoms.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe side effects after taking your medicine.
• You have thoughts about hurting yourself or others.

• Call 911.
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 988. This is open 24 hours a day.
• Text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Summary

• Stress can play a major role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Learning ways to manage stress may help your treatment work better for you.
• If you are taking medicines as part of your treatment, do not stop taking medicines before you ask your health care provider if it is safe to stop.
• When talking with family members and friends about your OCD, decide how much detail you want to give them and be patient as they work to understand your condition.
• Keep all follow-up visits. This includes visits with your health care provider and therapist. This is important.