Natural Treatment For Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder features a pattern of unwanted fears and thoughts which lead you to try to do repetitive behaviors. They interfere with your daily activities and can cause you significant distress. You may want to ignore or stop your obsessions, but this will only increase your anxiety and distress. If you suffer from an obsessive-compulsive disorder you may be ashamed or embarrassed about this condition, but there are many home remedies that can help you to deal with your symptoms. Usually, obsessive compulsive disorder includes both compulsions and obsessions.

But, it is possible for people to have only obsession symptoms or only compulsion symptoms. Some samples of obsession signs and symptoms include doubts that you simply have locked the door or turned off the stove; avoidance of situations that trigger obsessions, like shaking hands; fear of being contaminated by touching objects others have touched; unpleasant sexual images; images of driving your car into a crowd of people, etc.

Some examples of compulsion signs and symptoms include arranging your canned goods to face the same way; handwashing until your skin becomes raw; counting in certain patterns; checking doors repeatedly to make sure they are locked; silently repeating a prayer, word, or phrase, etc. You need to talk with your doctor if you or your child suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder before you use some of the below-mentioned home remedies, so you will know that there will not be side effects from them.

Natural remedies for obsessive compulsive disorder

Pay attention to warning signs

It is very important to go to the doctor and identify issues that can trigger obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms. You should make a plan so that you know what to do if your symptoms return. You should contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel.

Practice what you learn

You need to work with your mental health professional to identify techniques and skills that help to manage symptoms and practice them regularly to treat OCD in children

Acupuncture for OCD

Acupuncture is one of the oldest sorts of medicine. It can help you in the natural treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder by increasing serotonin transmission. Acupuncture is involving placing needles at specific points throughout the body, to release energy blockages, lower anxiety levels, calm the mind and return the body back to its natural flow and optimum health. One study is found that a group who received acupuncture had shown a great decrease in the symptoms of the obsessive-compulsive disorder than a group that received a placebo.

Light therapy

Those people who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder can use light therapy as their natural treatment. In one study done on a single woman who developed obsessive-compulsive disorder during the winter, was said that two hours of light therapy on daily basis in a period of two weeks has helped this woman to improve her mood and ease her symptoms of obsession. What is more important is that she did not relapse for the next 16 months, making it through the following winter.

Exercise for OCD

Many studies are shown that regular activity can help to ease the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. One study was found that regular walks can help to reduce the symptoms of the obsessive compulsive disorder at six weeks and a month later. In another study was found that moderate–intensity aerobic exercise can significantly reduce obsessions and compulsions after only one week.

Meditation for OCD

There are many people with obsessive compulsive disorder who find mindfulness meditation to help them to avoid or control their triggers. In one study was found that volunteers who took part in mindfulness meditation were better able to manage their obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. One patient said that he almost eliminated his washing compulsions.

Kava for OCD

This is a herbal medicine that is found in clinical trials to reduce mild depression, restlessness, nervous tension, and anxiety. This home remedy has been used for hundreds of years in Hawaii, the Micronesia Islands, and Polynesia. The key component in kava is kavalactone, which stimulates the production of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and serotonin in the body which is producing a calming effect on the body. Usually, it is recommended to take kava from water-based extract at less than 250 mg per day. This home remedy is not recommended to be taken during pregnancy or lactation.

John’s Wort for OCD

Some experts believe that St. John’s Wort can be used as a home remedy to treat depression and anxiety, while others believe that it is not effective at all. But, this home remedy still remains popular as an alternative home remedy for many different psychiatric conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder. St. John’s Wort is acting as a monoamine reuptake inhibitor, so it can block the breakdown of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.

Doctors believe that the imbalance in serotonin (which is a mood-related neurotransmitter) can play a role in the development of symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. But, the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort as an effective home remedy for OCD is limited to small studies. If you want to use St. John’s Wort as your home remedy for obsessive-compulsive disorder, then talk with your doctor before you start using it, because in some cases it can interact with some medications and it can increase the risk of bleeding.

Music therapy

There are many studies in which are shown that music can help people who suffer from depression or anxiety. Many studies are shown that music can help patients to focus on something besides their obsessive thoughts, redirect their thoughts entirely or simply reduce stress levels. Music therapy will alleviate symptoms of obsession and anxiety, so if you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, you can add this method as your natural treatment.

Zinc in treating OCD

This mineral is found in different foods like dairy products, whole grain cereals, nuts, animal meats, beans, seafood, and fish. Doctors believe that zinc is a neurotransmitter, which means that it is playing a role in modulating the brain and the body’s responses to stress. A deficiency of zinc can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder.

In one study done in 2012 was found that zinc levels in patients with mild obsessive-compulsive disorder were 69% lower than patients who did not have obsessive compulsive disorder OCD. In another study, also done in 2012, was suggested that a combination of zinc and fluoxetine could control the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in patients more effectively than fluoxetine alone.

Borage oil for OCD

The borage plant is producing borage oil. This oil has gamma-linolenic acid, which is a natural anti-inflammatory agent. This home remedy should be taken with caution. It is unsafe for pregnant women and it can worsen liver damage, so ask your doctor if it will be suitable for your condition.

Milk thistle for OCD

In one eight–week study was found that 600 mg of milk thistle extract was nearly as effective as 30 mg of fluoxetine in managing the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This home remedy has silymarin, which is a flavonoid complex that has been shown to increase the levels of the mood-related neurotransmitter serotonin in mice.

Curcumin for OCD

Curcumin is an element found in turmeric which gives its yellow color. It is one of the most used spices in many different cuisines. Many studies are shown that curcumin can improve the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder by increasing serotonin. This home remedy is a good option if you struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and chronic inflammation. Curcumin is fat-soluble, so it is recommended to take it with a fatty meal.

Caffeine for OCD

This is a surprising home remedy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Usually, it increases stress and anxiety in many people, but many studies are shown that it can help to improve the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. In two clinical trials was found that caffeine can significantly reduce the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms in people with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Probiotics for OCD

We know that probiotics can significantly influence your brain and mental health. This is a reason why it has been shown that obsessive-compulsive disorder can be also treated with probiotics. When you are consuming probiotics, then you can enhance the diversity of the bacteria in the gut, create an environment for the synthesis of serotonin and this can increase the levels and activity in your brain.

References:

1. Checking OCD: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/checking-ocd-symptoms-and-treatment/. Published August 11, 2020
2. Types of OCD. https://www.ocduk.org/ocd/types/. Published July 22, 2018
3. Natural remedies for OCD. https://pitherapy.com.au/natural-remedies-for-ocd/ . Published August 26, 2020
4. Natural Treatment Plan for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. https://draxe.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/. Published April 9, 2016