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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffObsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition, which means it may always be part of your life. While you can't treat OCD on your own, you can do some things for yourself that will build on your treatment plan:
- Take your medications as directed. Even if you're feeling well, resist any temptation to skip your medications. If you stop, OCD symptoms are likely to return.
- Pay attention to warning signs. You and your doctors may have identified things that may trigger your OCD symptoms. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol. Alcohol and illicit drugs may worsen OCD symptoms. Also, get appropriate treatment for a substance abuse problem.
- Check first before taking other medications. Contact the doctor who's treating you for OCD before you take medications prescribed by another doctor or before taking any over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals or supplements. These may interact with your OCD medications.
References
- Ciechanowski P, et al. Overview of obsessive-compulsive disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed
- Anxiety disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/anxiety.cfm#anx3. Accessed Nov. 11, 2008.
- Hales RE, et al, eds. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. In: The American Psychiatric PublishingTextbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc.; 2008. http://psychiatryonline.com/resourceToc.aspx?resourceID=5. Accessed Oct. 17, 2008.
- Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association. http//www.psych.org. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Simpson H, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for augmenting pharmacotherapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;165:621.
- Hall-Flavin DK. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 1, 2008.
- Anderson CF. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 3, 2008.
