What is OCD? How does it affect a person? And how to overcome OCD? If you are looking for relevant information, we have got you covered.
OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is a mental and behavioral disorder that can make your life stressful. In general, obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common, chronic, and long-lasting mental and behavioral disorder. In this disorder, people have uncontrollable reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). A person with OCD can be noticed in activities such as repetitive hand washing, checking on things, or cleaning.
Overcoming obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be overwhelming and easily influence your life. It’s easy to feel helpless when you are suffering from this mental and behavioral disorder. The good news is that you can overcome this problem with the option of certain habits and practices. In this article, you will learn what OCD is and how to overcome it. If you follow the tips, you can minimize anxiety and manage your OCD stress.
6 Tips to Combat the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Here are the 6 best approaches that will help you combat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
1. Practice Mindfulness Meditation to Manage the Stress of OCD
A person with OCC can experience acute anxiety and disturbing thoughts. These are the most common symptoms among people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. But the good news is that you can minimize both symptoms by practicing some good habits. One of the best ways to combat the acute anxiety and intrusive thoughts of OCD is by practicing mindfulness.
What is mindfulness? You might be of a mind to know about how to practice it.
Mindfulness is basically a type of meditation. In this specific type of meditation, a person concentrates on being deeply cognizant of what they are feeling and sensing in the moment, without interpretation or judgment.
Practicing mindfulness medication involves guided imagery, deep breathing, and other practices to relax the body and mind. This also helps reduce stress and anxiety.
You can practice mindfulness meditation anytime, anywhere; there is not any specific time and place for practicing it. While practicing it, you need to notice and observe what you are sensing and feeling. Keep in mind that your thoughts and feelings will exist and will pass, and you do not need to act on them.
Remember that practicing mindfulness may not be simple right away. But acknowledge your thoughts and feelings without acting on them; this will benefit, especially with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Opt for a practice that best fits you. You can choose from meditation, yoga, or something else entirely. In time, your OCD mindfulness meditation will be easier and more natural and help you manage stress.
2. Get Lots of Regular Exercises
Practicing regular exercise is one of the effective ways of combating the stress and anxiety of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you get lots of regular exercises, it will help to concentrate your mind when disturbing thoughts, stresses, anxieties, and compulsions arise.
According to some experts, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day can be beneficial in fighting the stress and anxiety of OCD. But you should not do it at once. Instead, practice exercise at intervals. You can opt for three 10-minute sessions of mindful exercise rather than practicing one 30-minute session of distracted jogging or other exercises.
It is possible to exercise and get distracted. But if you continue to practice mindfulness, you will find that intrusive thoughts and ideas disappear into the background more easily in time.
3. Get Enough Sound Sleep
A night of good sleep is an antidote for many problems. Like exercise, it can help you combat the stress and anxiety of OCD. Sad to say, good sleep is hard to find for people who have OCD issues. Remember that people with OCD have higher rates of insomnia than the general population.
It is likely that your upsetting thoughts can keep you sleepless long into the night. As a result, you will need to fight anxious moments the next day. The good news is that there are certain things you can do to get enough sound sleep and manage your OCD stress.
- Practice regular exercises.
- Have a light meal before bedtime.
- Limit fluid intake before bedtime.
- Limit your screen time before bed.
- Pay attention to what works for you and develop the bedtime routine according.
- Follow the routine. Get up and go to bed at the same time every day.
4. Avoid Nicotine and Alcohol
Say goodbye to nicotine and alcohol if you truly want to overcome the stress and anxiety of OCD. Remember that these two substances will actually worsen the symptoms of OCD. At first, you may feel like they relax you, but as they wear off, they will increase your stress levels. Similarly, the nicotine will also worsen your OCD symptoms. So, avoid the consumption of nicotine and alcohol. This will really help you overcome the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
5. Communicate with Family and Friends
The symptoms of OCD sometimes can be so severe that they will take control of you and keep you isolated from your family and friends. Acknowledge that isolation will exacerbate the OCD symptoms. So, it is crucial to get in touch with people you care about.
If intrusive thoughts and feelings come to your mind, then do not hesitate to reach out to your family and friends. Be positive and think that your family and supporting friends are always there for you. It’s always okay to talk about your symptoms and problems with your family members and friends. But make sure that you do not ask over and over the same things for reassurance. According to expert psychiatrists in Delhi, excessive reassurance seeking is a common pattern in individuals with OCD.
6. Find the Best Psychiatrist in Delhi
OCD is the worst phase of life in a person. It can hijack the brain of people with OCD. It can manipulate them that they can only cope with intrusive thoughts by doing compulsive rituals. The best psychiatrists in Delhi can help you overcome your OCD symptoms. They will help you to develop a personalized strategy and plan for OCD management. With the right therapies, you will get the fastest recovery and enjoy your life sooner.
Dr. Shashi Bhushan Kumar (MBBS, MD, Psychiatry—AIIMS, New Delhi) is one of the best psychiatrists in Delhi that offers the best therapy and consultations for OCD management. If you are having OCD symptoms, then you can consult Dr. Kumar for the best consultation. Don’t hesitate at all. You can overcome OCD with the right therapies and a positive mindset.
Dr. Shashi Kumar, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry), is a highly regarded psychiatrist in Delhi. With extensive education from esteemed institutions like Patna Medical College & Hospital and AIIMS, he has built a strong foundation in the field. Dr. Kumar’s expertise spans Adult Psychiatry, Depression, Anxiety, Old Age Problems, Epilepsy, Chronic Headaches, Psychosexual Disorders, and Addiction. He currently operates the Sri Ganesh Psychiatry Clinic in Shalimar Bagh and Rohini Sector 16, providing exceptional care to patients. Alongside his commitment to the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, he also serves at Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh. Dr. Kumar’s reputation as one of the best psychiatrists in Delhi stems from his deep knowledge, experience, and dedication to improving mental health.