Homeopathic Remedies for OCD

According to The American Institute of Homeopathy, their remedies are based on the philosophy of the "law of similars." This means that an ill person will be treated with remedies that would cause illness in a healthy person, but the remedy will be given in very small amounts and highly diluted. Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with homeopathy uses a combination of medicines or remedies that specifically address the individual's symptoms and medical history. There are some homeopathic remedies that are fairly common in treating OCD.

OCD

• Obsessions are reoccurring thoughts that are unwanted, usually ominous (something bad will happen), cause great anxiety and will not go away. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that people with obsessive thoughts feel they must perform to keep the reoccurring, ominous thoughts away. A classic example would be ritualistic hand washing to keep the germs, dirt or bacteria away; the OCD sufferer thinks and feels that if they don't keep washing their hands to remove the germs then great harm will come to them, and possibly to others. OCD is a pattern of thoughts and actions that cannot be stopped without some type of intervention. The homeopathic remedies used for OCD should only be used with an understanding of homeopathy and after consultation with your physician and a homeopathic practitioner.

Common Remedies

• Remedies in homeopathy can be found in many health food stores or obtained directly from your homeopathic practitioner. They are sold in the form of pellets, liquids, powders, tablets and in homeopathic kits. Arsenic album is commonly used to help with symptoms of anxiety and restlessness, and for a sufferer who is feeling fearful. This substance is recommended for the meticulous, tidy obsessive-compulsive and those with a preoccupation with putting and keeping things in order. Syphillinum works against irritability and feelings of hopelessness and is often used with a variety of other homeopathic treatments pertaining to mental health. Bach Flower is a useful homeopathic herbal remedy because it is specific to feelings and thoughts of impending doom and is believed to help with repetitive thoughts. Other remedies that have been used successfully are Pulsatilla, Nux Vomica and Carcinocin; others come into play, depending on the OCD patient's individual symptoms. Although homeopathy uses natural components and processes, it should not be confused with herbal remedies. Practitioner-recommended homeopathic medicines can be derived from animal matter, elements and roots of plants. As stated above, OCD homeopathic remedies should be used under the guidance and supervision of a qualified practitioner; everyone is different and proper dosages need to be determined.

Considerations

• Homeopathic remedies are very personalized and treat the symptoms of a condition instead of the condition itself, so what works for one person may not be as good a fit with another. The best OCD treatments are highly diluted, and dilution ratios will be found on the labels of most remedies. Homeopathy is not a quick fix and you may not feel any relief for a long time. Patients taking standard medications often take about a month to begin feeling results, but with homeopathy it may take up to a whole year.