How to eliminate compulsive delusions

Compulsive delusions can be intervened through psychological therapy, medication therapy, physical therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and social support. Compulsive delusions are often associated with factors such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, personality traits, and stressful events.

1. Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the core psychological treatment method for intervening in compulsive thinking. This method helps individuals identify and challenge irrational thinking patterns that trigger anxiety. Through exposure and response inhibition techniques, patients gradually face situations that trigger compulsive thinking in a controllable environment, while learning to suppress the accompanying compulsive behavior. The principles of acceptance and commitment therapy focus on helping patients accept the existence of these invasive thoughts themselves, reduce the psychological energy consumed in confronting them, and instead focus their attention on personal value oriented actions. Mindfulness training helps to enhance an individual's awareness of current experiences, observing the flow of thought without judgment, thereby reducing emotional distress caused by thinking.

II. Medication therapy

Medication therapy should be carried out under the guidance of a psychiatrist, mainly used to regulate the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain and alleviate accompanying anxiety and depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly used first-line drugs, such as fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules, sertraline hydrochloride tablets, paroxetine hydrochloride tablets, etc. They improve mood and reduce obsessive-compulsive symptoms by increasing the concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. For some difficult to treat cases, doctors may consider using low-dose atypical antipsychotic drugs as adjunctive therapy, such as aripiprazole tablets. Drug therapy usually takes effect slowly and requires sufficient treatment duration, as well as regular follow-up to evaluate efficacy and adjust plans.

III. Physical therapy

For moderate to severe patients with poor drug and psychological treatment effects, physical therapy methods such as transcranial magnetic stimulation can be considered. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation non invasively stimulates brain regions related to emotion and cognitive regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex, through specific frequency magnetic pulses, regulating their neural activity and potentially reducing compulsive thinking and related anxiety. Deep brain electrical stimulation belongs to invasive surgery and is suitable for a very small number of severely refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder patients who have not responded to other treatments. It continuously stimulates specific brain nuclei by implanting electrodes. These physical therapies need to be comprehensively evaluated by doctors in professional medical institutions before implementation.

4. Lifestyle Adjustment

Establishing a regular daily routine is crucial for stabilizing emotions, and ensuring sufficient sleep helps with the recovery of brain function and emotional regulation. Regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc., can promote the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins, effectively alleviate anxiety and stress. In terms of diet, pay attention to balanced nutrition, consume foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins in moderation, and avoid excessive consumption of stimulating drinks such as coffee and strong tea that may exacerbate anxiety. Learning and practicing relaxation techniques such as abdominal breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can quickly calm physiological arousal when thinking emerges.

V. Social Support

Proactively sharing inner troubles with family or trusted friends, gaining emotional understanding and support, can effectively alleviate feelings of loneliness and shame. Join a supportive group organized by a professional organization, communicate with people with similar experiences, share coping strategies, and gain resonance and strength. Family members also need to understand relevant knowledge, avoid criticizing or overly focusing on the patient's compulsive thinking, and provide a supportive environment with a calm and accepting attitude. In the workplace or school, appropriate adjustments can be sought when necessary to reduce environmental stressors and create favorable conditions for rehabilitation. Dealing with compulsive delusions is a process that requires patience and persistence. In addition to seeking professional help, one can try to cultivate some focused hobbies in daily life, such as painting, handicrafts, musical instruments, or gardening. These activities can shift attention from internal thinking to the external world and provide flow experiences. Maintaining stable social activities and avoiding long-term self isolation can help obtain positive emotional feedback. Learning to identify and manage stressors, and organizing emotions through writing diaries and other methods, can also help reduce mental confusion. It is important to recognize that these intrusive thoughts themselves do not define you, reduce confrontation with them, and focus more energy on building a valuable and structured life. If the symptoms persist and seriously affect social function, it is necessary to seek timely medical attention at a psychiatric and psychological department.