Easy Self Help for OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. People with OCD tend to have continual, disruptive thoughts or fears that interrupt their everyday life. Fears about germs, certain behaviors, embarrassment, and social situations are some common worries associated with OCD. Behaviors might include excessive hand washing, repetitive behaviors such as locking doors over and over again, continually arranging and sorting things, and excessive counting. When not dealt with, OCD can seriously disrupt your life. It is important to realize that you can take steps to help yourself deal with OCD.

Make the Decision to Choose

• As with most important life changes, you have to make the decision to change. Helping yourself involves a commitment. Once you understand that you have a choice about how you go on living, then you need to make the decision to gain control and to work toward a healthy, productive, and joyful life

Know Your Enemy

• Understand that your OCD is the enemy; it will always be a barrier to a productive, fulfilled life. Your OCD is not you. Learn about your illness, and look at it as an obstacle, but not an end. OCD is a tough opponent, but you do have powerful weapons against it.

Become Aware of Your Thoughts

• Work on seeing the obsessive thoughts as a result of your anxiety. Practice separating the anxiety disorder from the content of the thought. Don't try to talk yourself out of the content of the thought, such as convincing yourself that you don't have germs. Instead, remind yourself that you have an anxiety disorder, and focus on the symptoms of the disorder, not the topic of the thoughts.

Recognize Other Options

• Remind yourself that you have options. You do not have to perform the ritualized behavior in response to the compulsive thought. Realizing that having a thought and acting on it are not necessarily connected. Be open to trying new ways to respond to a fearful thought such as a planned delay (I will wait 10 minutes before I act on this thought), deep breathing, and placing the thought aside while performing an unrelated task.

Don't Go it Alone

• If you suspect you have OCD, help yourself by getting help from others. See your doctor or a trained counselor to assess your difficulties. Medications are available to help, and behavior therapy has proven to be very effective. If you suffer from OCD, you can make the decision to get better and lead a healthy happy life.