How to overcome psychological fear caused by obsessive-compulsive disorder

Overcoming psychological fear caused by obsessive-compulsive disorder can be intervened through cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, mindfulness training, medication therapy, and social support. Obsessive compulsive disorder may be related to genetic factors, neurotransmitter imbalances, psychological trauma, personality traits, and environmental stress, often accompanied by symptoms such as repeated checkups, excessive cleaning, and invasive thinking.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients reduce anxiety driven behavioral responses by identifying and correcting unreasonable beliefs in compulsive thinking. Therapists will guide patients to record scenes of compulsive thinking, analyze their deviations from real-life risks, and gradually establish more rational cognitive patterns. For example, for those who are afraid of pollution, data comparison can prove that the actual probability of infection is extremely low. Cooperate with behavioral experiments such as delaying cleaning behavior to gradually reduce dependence on compulsive behavior.

2. Exposure and Response Prevention

Exposure and response prevention involves systematically exposing patients to fearful stimuli while suppressing compulsive behavior. Starting from low anxiety situations, such as not washing hands for 5 minutes after touching a door handle, gradually extending to high-risk scenarios. Confirm the adaptation effect through heart rate monitoring and subjective anxiety scale during the process. It should be noted that initial anxiety may temporarily worsen, but after continuous practice, the fear response will significantly weaken. It is recommended to develop a personalized exposure level chart under the guidance of a professional therapist.

3. Mindfulness Training

Mindfulness training cultivates patients' ability to observe compulsive thinking rather than react, and enhances their acceptance of current experiences through exercises such as breath anchoring and body scanning. When invasive thinking occurs, guide patients to label it as' just brain activity 'rather than a real threat, reducing emotional involvement. Research has shown that 20 minutes of mindfulness meditation per day can reduce excessive activation of the amygdala in response to fear stimuli after 8 weeks.

4. Drug therapy

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules and sertraline hydrochloride tablets can regulate neurotransmitter balance and alleviate obsessive-compulsive symptoms. For individuals with severe anxiety, short-term combination therapy with alprazolam tablets can be used. Medication should pay attention to the principle of sufficient and sufficient treatment duration, usually taking effect within 4-6 weeks. Some patients may experience side effects such as nausea and insomnia, and doctors need to regularly evaluate the efficacy and safety. Do not adjust the dosage or abruptly stop taking the medication on your own.

5. Social Support

Family participation in treatment can reduce unintentional reinforcement of patients' compulsive behaviors, and family members can learn to respond to patients' reassurance seeking with a neutral attitude. Joining a mutual aid group for obsessive-compulsive disorder can help patients share their experiences and alleviate their sense of shame. The workplace can negotiate and adjust task allocation, such as avoiding assigning data review to patients with examination disorders. Establishing a multidisciplinary support network that includes psychiatrists, psychological counselors, and social workers is more conducive to long-term rehabilitation. Maintaining a regular daily routine and moderate exercise can help stabilize emotions. It is recommended to engage in aerobic activities such as brisk walking or swimming three times a week. Increase the intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts, and reduce caffeine intake. It can be combined with relaxation training such as progressive muscle relaxation or aromatherapy as an auxiliary method. Keeping a symptom diary helps identify triggering factors, but excessive self-monitoring should be avoided. If the symptoms affect social functioning or are accompanied by depressive tendencies, it is necessary to seek timely medical attention at a psychiatric and psychological department.