What Are the Treatments for Anxiety & OCD?

Anxiety disorders come in several forms, including excessive worry, depression, panic and post-traumatic stress. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, involves the unnecessary repetition of certain thoughts or behaviors--even if the person knows these are unnecessary. OCD itself is a form of anxiety disorder. A number of potential treatments exist, including the use of German chamomile, skullcap, gotu kola and brahmi, employing some sort of behavioral therapy, and the intake of conventional medications.

German Chamomile

• Matricaria recutita---or German chamomile---has been used to combat the symptoms of anxiety. German chamomile has a natural calming effect, easing frustration and reducing nervous tension. It can be used by adults who feel overworked, anxious or stressed, but in small doses it also helps children diagnosed with ADHD. Although it is rare, some people have developed allergic reactions to German chamomile that manifest as skin irritations.

Skullcap

• Skullcap, or scuttellaria laterfolia, has been used for centuries by people who feel stressed or overworked. Skullcap is said to improve clarity of mind and provide an equilibrium of the emotions, boosting attitude and the ability to deal with complicated or normally stress-inducing situations. Skullcap has no known serious side effects.

Gotu Kola

• Centella asiatica, or gotu kola, is said to have a natural strengthening effect on the brain and nervous system. Often used by students, gotu kola can help increase memory abilities and clarity and stabilize emotions. The herb also improves blood flow to the brain and boosts blood circulation throughout the body. People with anxiety and OCD often have trouble concentrating, and gotu kola may help them focus more easily. Gotu kola has no known serious side effects.

Brahmi

• Brahmi, or bacopa monniera, has long been used to help increase cognition, memory and overall brain functioning. Brahmi can help you remember what you have learned---and more important, to have the clarity of mind to learn new things. Although there are no known serious side effects to taking brahmi, women may experience temporary hearing loss.

Behavioral Therapy

• In the case of OCD especially, behavioral therapy may be an effective treatment. Behavioral therapy typically involves one of two methods, both of which are only attempted after a therapist has taught the patient some sort of relaxation exercise.

  First, there is systematic desensitization, which entails slowly but consistently exposing the patient to high-anxiety situations, thereby helping the patient adapt and eventually change and overcome OCD.

  The second method is called flooding, in which the patient is exposed to a very high level of anxiety all at once and is motivated to practice the aforementioned relaxation techniques. Behavioral therapy should only be performed by a licensed professional.

Conventional Medications

• According to the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, several conventional medications have been shown to be effective in combating OCD. These include citalopram (Celexa), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac) and clomipramine (Anafranil). The Anxiety Disorders Association of America likewise suggests a number of medications to treat anxiety, including Luvox, Norpramin, Nardil, Effexor and Wellbutrin.