Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects between 7 and 9 million people in the United States alone. And yet, far too often, people with OCD suffer in silence, unaware that effective treatment options are available.
Even when they experience severe impairment, research shows that fewer than 10% of people with OCD seek evidence-based treatment such as exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy.
A specialty-trained therapist can help you learn to manage OCD and dramatically improve your quality of life. But how do you know when you’re ready? Here’s everything you need to know about OCD treatment, and when it might be time to seek it out.
Why people wait to seek treatment
Many people with OCD hesitate to seek treatment that could offer relief because of factors such as:
- Shame and stigma: OCD often involves thoughts that feel deeply personal, embarrassing, or even frightening. The idea of sharing these thoughts with someone else can feel overwhelming.
- Lack of awareness and education: Because OCD is so misunderstood, many people are unaware that the condition is highly treatable, or unsure of where to find care and support.
- Comparison: Thoughts like “My OCD isn’t severe enough,” or, “Other people have it worse,” can keep many people from seeking the help they need and deserve.
How is OCD treated?
Treatment options for OCD may include medication and/or therapy. Research indicates that a specific kind of OCD therapy called exposure and response prevention therapy, or ERP therapy, is the most effective treatment approach.
In ERP therapy, people are exposed to stimuli that trigger their symptoms. But instead of responding to stimuli with compulsive behavior—like frequent hand-washing or repetitive rituals—they learn, gradually and with the help of a professional in a safe environment, to resist their compulsions. By gently exposing people to triggering situations, ERP therapy can help reinforce healthier responses.
More than 80% of people with OCD respond well to ERP therapy. In some cases, combining ERP with medication can make treatment even more effective.
How do you know you’re ready for OCD therapy?
While effective treatment exists, it takes an average of nine years to receive an accurate diagnosis of OCD; it can take another 17 years to receive effective OCD treatment.
Many people with OCD hesitate to seek out help because they feel their symptoms aren’t severe enough. However, anyone with OCD can benefit from therapy, particularly if their symptoms are becoming disruptive or unmanageable.
So how do you know when it’s time to look for help? Here are a few questions that can help you determine if you might be ready for OCD therapy:
Do your symptoms cause distress?
OCD is ego-dystonic, which means intrusive thoughts and compulsions go against someone’s beliefs and values. This conflict is a major reason why OCD is often extremely upsetting. Someone living with this condition doesn’t want to have those thoughts or engage in those compulsive behaviors, but the unwanted thoughts and the urges to perform compulsions persist.
You may experience a brief feeling of relief after performing compulsions, particularly if you’ve been experiencing anxiety. But this feeling of relief is often overshadowed by the distress caused by obsessive thoughts or compulsions.
Distress can take many different forms in OCD. While it’s commonly described as anxiety or fear, you may also experience it as shame, disgust, guilt, anger, frustration, sadness, or hopelessness, to name a few examples.
Do your symptoms take up excessive time?
Think about how much time is taken up by your OCD symptoms. This includes time spent physically engaging in compulsive behavior (avoiding triggering situations, excessive confession of perceived wrongdoings, performing rituals or following strict routines) and time spent mentally wrestling with intrusive thoughts (mental reviewing, ruminating, seeking reassurance).
If you find yourself spending around an hour or more a day preoccupied with your symptoms, it might be time to seek help.
Are your symptoms disrupting your life?
The stresses of daily life can become even more overwhelming and unmanageable when OCD symptoms enter the picture. Do your symptoms interfere with daily activities?
This can involve struggling with:
- Getting ready in the morning
- Performing regular chores
- Completing assignments in school or at a job
- Socializing with friends and family
Anyone who feels that OCD symptoms are interfering with their life should seek treatment.
Why seeking help is worth it
OCD tends to gradually expand its territory in people’s lives. More places are avoided. More activities are given up. More relationships suffer. If you notice your world shrinking to accommodate OCD, professional help could open up possibilities again.
While OCD treatment looks different for everyone, early intervention with evidence-based approaches such as ERP therapy can mitigate symptoms and help you regain control of your life. The sooner OCD therapy begins, the sooner you start down the path toward recovery.
The right specialized therapist, resources, and treatment plan can guide you toward greater freedom and control over your life. With specialized treatment, many find that symptoms that once seemed unbearable become manageable. Daily activities become easier. Relationships improve. The mental energy previously consumed by OCD becomes available for things that bring joy and meaning.
If you are struggling with OCD symptoms, our highly trained OCD specialists at NOCD can help provide the care and support you need. Because ERP is most effective when the therapist conducting the treatment has experience with OCD and training in ERP, all NOCD Therapists specialize in OCD and receive ERP-specific training.
Book a free 15-minute call with our team today to learn more about how our specialty-trained therapists can help you overcome OCD.