Overview
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental disorder and affects the person’s daily functionality. Left untreated, depending on its severity, it can cause havoc in a person’s personal, psychological, and professional life as they may find themselves being bombarded with horrific, intrusive, irrational thoughts and images (obsessions) as well as very time-consuming, elaborate and repetitive mental or behavioural actions (compulsions). This can make life very difficult. Moreover, professional treatment is essential. Since
OCD requires continuous treatment to gradually help the person reduce the intensity of their obsessions and compulsions, adherence to treatment sessions is required. Home services make adherence more likely. As part of the treatment plan, the psychiatrist might prescribe medications in case of severe OCD to help the person calm down the distress and intensity of these obsessions and compulsions, which allows them to be functional and more relaxed on a daily basis. Therapy sessions in addition helps the person find different ways to cope with their obsessions and compulsive behaviours, could involve exposing them to their fear and refraining from engaging in the compulsive behaviours (Exposure and Response Prevention), to avoid reassurance seeking, and to challenge their irrational thoughts and find evidence against them. This helps in gradual reduction of the symptoms.