Right Hemisphere Brain Exercises for OCD

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a condition caused by abnormal neurotransmitters in the brain. People afflicted have intrusive and persistent thoughts that cause great levels of anxiety. Treatment involves unlearning the nature of the anxiety. Exercises that stimulate the right hemisphere of the brain are part of cognitive behavioral therapy and help a patient become desensitized to the things that provoke anxiety.

Art

• The right hemisphere of the brain controls creativity. Frequently, OCD sufferers avoid contact with substances they consider dirty or filled with germs. Exercises involving art should start slow and gradually progress to painting with a brush and eventually finger painting. One example of using art to stimulate the brain is studying a book that displays famous art throughout history--discuss each piece of work and talk about the feelings they provoke. Progression of this exercise could include tracing a favorite work or attempting to draw something in the picture. Gradual stimulus will allow the individual time to adapt.

Color

• Discussing and working through color theory is an effective stimulus for the creative half of the brain. Flash cards starting with primary colors and then showing the relationship to secondary and tertiary color systems might be used as a prop. Advancement could include the study of colors in the environment or drawing with colored pencils.

Creative Storytelling

• An exercise for two or more people, the first begins a story. For example, "Once upon a time ..." The next person picks up the story and continues, "There was a prince." This is a non-threatening way to work the right hemisphere of the brain. A progression for this exercise might include adding props to the story, passed around in a group. OCD sufferers often will avoid touching something handled by others. The storytelling provides a way to work through this issue with the distraction of creative play.

Music

• The possibilities of creative exercise using music are endless. They range from listening to classical music as a form of relaxation, studying music theory or even dancing and singing. One goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is exposure and response prevention. Background music during exercises can be an effective way to help relax a patient.