Treatment methods for psychological obsessive-compulsive disorder

The main treatment methods for psychological obsessive-compulsive disorder include psychotherapy, medication therapy, physical therapy, lifestyle interventions, and family support.

1. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a first-line treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, with exposure and response inhibition therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy being the most widely used. Exposure and response inhibition therapy breaks the vicious cycle between compulsive thinking and compulsive behavior by gradually exposing patients to situations that trigger compulsive thinking or anxiety, while guiding them to refrain from performing compulsive behaviors, helping patients realize that anxiety will naturally subside over time. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on helping patients identify and challenge irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions associated with compulsive thinking, such as overestimating danger or exaggerating responsibility, by establishing more realistic and adaptive ways of thinking to alleviate anxiety.

II. Drug therapy

Drug therapy is usually used in combination with psychotherapy, mainly using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain and improve obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The commonly used drugs include fluoxetine hydrochloride dispersible tablets, sertraline hydrochloride tablets, and paroxetine hydrochloride tablets. These drugs exert anti compulsive and anti anxiety effects by increasing the concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft, but the effect is relatively slow and usually takes several weeks of continuous use to observe significant improvement. Drug therapy must be carried out under the guidance of a psychiatrist, who will develop individualized plans based on the severity of the patient's symptoms, age, and physical condition, and closely monitor adverse drug reactions.

III. Physical therapy

For patients with severe symptoms and difficult to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder who have poor drug and psychological treatment effects, physical therapy can be considered as an auxiliary or alternative means. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses specific frequency magnetic field pulses to act on brain regions related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, such as the prefrontal cortex, to regulate neural circuit activity and alleviate symptoms. Deep brain stimulation belongs to invasive surgery, which involves continuous electrical stimulation of specific nuclei in the brain through implanted electrodes. It is mainly used for severe patients who have not responded to other treatments. Its specific mechanism and long-term efficacy are still under in-depth research, and strict ethical and clinical evaluations are required before implementation.

4. Life Intervention

Life intervention is an important foundation for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, aiming to enhance psychological resilience and reduce stress by adjusting daily habits. Regular aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, or swimming can help release endorphins, improve mood, and reduce overall anxiety levels. Establishing a stable and regular schedule, ensuring sufficient sleep, can maintain the stability of the nervous system. Learning and practicing mindfulness meditation or relaxation training techniques can help patients improve their awareness of local physical and mental experiences, accept the emergence of compulsive thinking with a non judgmental attitude, and not be driven to perform compulsive behaviors, thereby enhancing their sense of control over symptoms.

V. Family Support

Family support plays a key role in the treatment and rehabilitation of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Family members need to understand that obsessive-compulsive disorder is a disease, not a deliberate behavior or personality weakness of the patient, and avoid criticism, blame, or excessive involvement in the patient's compulsive rituals. Family members should learn how to respond to patients' symptoms in a supportive rather than compromising manner, such as encouraging patients to complete homework assigned by therapists instead of helping them with compulsive behaviors to temporarily alleviate anxiety. Creating a warm, accepting, and low stress family environment, reducing conflicts and criticism within the family, can help lower patients' stress levels and provide stable emotional support for their recovery. The treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a long-term process that requires patience and persistence, and a comprehensive approach combining psychological therapy with medication is usually most effective. Patients should actively cooperate with the treatment plan of professional doctors and regularly follow up to evaluate the efficacy. In daily life, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, moderate intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as deep-sea fish, and foods rich in B vitamins may be beneficial for neurological health. Regular physical activity not only helps alleviate anxiety, but also improves sleep quality. At the same time, patients can try to join supportive groups, communicate with people who have similar experiences, reduce shame, and receive emotional support and practical advice. It is important to communicate with the therapist in a timely manner when symptoms fluctuate or feel difficult to cope with, adjust strategies, and avoid self interruption of treatment.