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Month: May 2022

How To Curb OCD Compulsions

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. 

It is characterized by intrusive thoughts or obsessions, leading to compulsive behaviors to control the anxiety these thoughts provoke. OCD can manifest in ways such as:

  • Fear of contamination, such as with germs or illness, leading to repeated cleaning of the environment and the body
  • Fixating on particular numbers, objects, or colors, leading to behavior that emphasizes counting or organizing the environment in the “correct” ways
  • Fear of losing control of one’s thoughts, actions, or impulses, leading to repeated behavior that attempts to quell the feeling of losing that sense of control

While OCD can be very disabling, there are many ways to challenge and overcome the compulsions that arise from it. 

In this article, we will look at OCD in more depth as well as explore some of the most effective strategies for combating OCD compulsions.

Understanding OCD

It is important to understand that OCD is a real and serious medical condition. The thoughts and compulsions associated with it can be extremely disruptive and debilitating, interfering with work, school, social activities, and relationships.

People with OCD often feel ashamed and embarrassed by their thoughts and behaviors, and many may be reluctant to seek help. It is important to remember that you are not alone in your battle with OCD — and that there is help available.

The Origin of OCD Thoughts

Thoughts that stem from OCD are ongoing and upsetting, causing a great deal of anxiety. 

It is natural to want to get rid of these thoughts as quickly as possible. However, it is important to remember that the thoughts themselves are not bad or wrong — they are just thoughts, and they do not reflect reality.

The compulsions that people with OCD engage in are an attempt to control or eliminate obsessive thoughts. However, compulsions only serve to reinforce the obsessions, making them stronger and more challenging to overcome.

Find Your Freedom From OCD Compulsions

OCD is a condition that can be very difficult to deal with. However, many strategies can help you overcome the compulsions and obsessions that arise from it. 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so it is crucial to find the treatment plan or strategy that works best for you. With time and patience, it is possible to overcome the worst of OCD and live a happier, more productive life.

Here are a few of the most effective strategies you can try:

  1. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is one of the most effective treatments for OCD. It involves exposing yourself to the thoughts, images, or objects that trigger your obsessive thoughts and then resisting the urge to engage in any compulsive behaviors.

This can be a difficult process, but it is very effective in helping people overcome their OCD. ERP should be done under the guidance of a therapist who is familiar with OCD treatment.

  1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an OCD treatment that involves learning to change the way you think about your thoughts and behaviors — and then developing strategies for dealing with them.

CBT can be done on your own or with the help of a therapist. There are many online resources available that can help you get started, like the one linked above.

  1. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a type of CBT that incorporates mindfulness practices into the treatment process. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your thoughts and feelings in the present moment.

MBCT can be helpful for people with OCD who find it difficult to stay present and engaged with the world around them. This type of therapy can help you learn to accept your thoughts and feelings without judging them or trying to get rid of them.

  1. Medication

There are a number of medications that can be helpful for people with OCD. These medications include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and in some cases, antipsychotic medications.

Often, there are cases where the medication intended to treat and alleviate the symptoms of OCD causes side effects that can be less desirable than the condition itself. 

It is vital to work with a knowledgeable, experienced doctor who has your best interest in mind to find the right medication for you. 

Medication should only be used as part of a comprehensive, supervised treatment plan.

  1. Support Groups

There are many support groups available for people with OCD. These groups can be a great way to connect with other people who understand what you are going through and can offer support and advice.

Also, there are online support groups available in the age of the internet. These are great if you have difficulty leaving home or stepping into settings with other people.

  1. Self-Care

Remember, it is essential to take care of yourself when dealing with OCD. 

This includes getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising. It may also be helpful to find an activity that you enjoy that helps you relax. 

Yoga, meditation, and journaling can all be helpful tools in managing OCD.

Ketamine Infusion Treatment To Combat OCD

For some people with OCD, standard treatments like CBT and ERP may not be enough. In these cases, ketamine infusion treatment may be a viable option.

Ketamine infusion therapy is a relatively new treatment that has been shown to be effective in combating OCD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. In fact, according to a study by NCBI, ketamine was responsible for more than a 35% improvement in OCD symptoms for those participating in the trials.

This revolutionary therapy works by targeting the glutamate system in the brain. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in learning and memory. When levels of glutamate are too high, it can lead to excitotoxicity, which is when nerve cells are damaged or killed due to being overstimulated.

Ketamine infusion therapy helps to regulate glutamatergic activity, preventing overstimulation of the nervous system. This can help to drastically improve symptoms of OCD and other mental health conditions.

Renew Ketamine & Wellness Center Is Chicagoland’s Leading Infusion Center

At Renew Ketamine & Wellness Center, we specialize in providing ketamine infusion therapy for the treatment of OCD and other mental health disorders. 

We offer a safe and comfortable environment for our patients. Our team of industry-leading doctors and providers will work with you to find the best treatment plan for your particular case. 

If you are interested in learning more about ketamine infusion therapy or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today. 

We will be happy to answer any questions you may have!

 

Stress & Chronic Pain

Stress and chronic pain affect millions of people regardless of gender or age. In the case of chronic pain, it’s about 50 million in the United States and may grow each year. Mental health and physical pain have an intricate, often mysterious relationship but one worth exploring if we’re going to find ways to treat either or both. One option may be ketamine.

What is Stress?

“Stress is a normal human reaction that happens to everyone. In fact, the human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. When you experience changes or challenges (stressors), your body produces physical and mental responses. That’s stress.”

Stress responses allow your body to adapt to new settings. It can be helpful, keeping you alert, driven, and prepared to evade danger. But stress becomes problematic when stressors linger without stopping or allowing moments of relaxation.

What is Chronic Pain?

Pain is a claxon in the nervous system that indicates something wrong. Pain could be pronounced or dull and experienced in one area of your body or everywhere. Acute pain is localized, frequently short-term, and often signals an injury or problem that needs to be taken care of. But chronic pain is different – lasting for weeks, months, or perhaps years. And the original cause is often mysterious, forgotten, or long-since resolved or healed.

Know the Symptoms

Symptoms of stress may include:

  • Unexplained aches and pains.
  • You have chest pain or feel that your heartbeat is speeding.
  • You’re exhausted or have trouble sleeping.
  • Headaches, dizziness, or trembling.
  • You may have elevated blood pressure.
  • You have muscle tension or clench your jaw.
  • Stomach or gastrointestinal problems.
  • Problems with intimacy and personal relationships.
  • Weak immune system.
  • You’re anxious or irritable.
  • Depression.
  • Panic attacks.
  • Sadness.

Chronic pain is known by many symptoms, including joint pain, muscle aches, pain that you could describe as burning, tiredness, trouble sleeping, lack of stamina and flexibility because you don’t do as much as before, and mood problems, like anxiety.

In one study, nearly 61 percent of the participants who reported chronic pain also complained of depression, with most of them calling their symptoms severe.

Everyone reacts to stress and chronic pain differently, and experts have found various ways to treat the symptoms, including ketamine therapy.

Stress & Chronic Pain

Stress and chronic pain share a complex relationship. Living with pain can be stressful and trigger mental health issues. Stanford Children’s Health estimates that one-third of adults who have arthritis also experience anxiety or depression.

Someone with chronic pain has the dual burden of it always being on their mind. It’s a constant reminder that the pain makes you feel like you can’t do some of the things you want to do or did in the past. People with arthritis, for instance, can struggle with everyday, simple tasks like bending, lugging groceries, or taking the stairs. As anyone with chronic pain knows, the struggle to manage the symptoms can extract a price on your emotions – making you feel angry, anxious, frustrated, or depressed.

And mental anguish like stress can worsen your chronic pain. Why? Because stress can make your muscles tense or have spasms, which drives pain even further. What’s worse is that stress boosts levels of the hormone cortisol, potentially leading to inflammation and pain over time.

But you can prevent stress by trying any of the following:

  • Relaxation exercises.
  • Taking care of yourself through proper nutrition, exercise, and getting the right amount of sleep.
  • Maintain a positive attitude.
  • Stay connected with family and loved ones.
  • Find a hobby or ways to enjoy your time.
  • Realize there are things beyond your control, and that’s okay.
  • Say no to things that may cause stress.

Chronic pain can often be reduced with pain relievers, diet and lifestyle changes, and ketamine therapy to relieve pain symptoms.

Diagnosis & Treatment

“Stress is subjective — not measurable with tests. Only the person experiencing it can determine whether it’s present and how severe it feels. A healthcare provider may use questionnaires to understand your stress and how it affects your life.”

Your healthcare provider can assess chronic stress symptoms and recommend treatment for specific underlying conditions that may be causing or contributing to it. With chronic pain, a healthcare provider may use tests and diagnostic procedures to uncover the cause of symptoms – a previous illness, injury, or something else. In either case, diagnosis may also be performed by a mental health specialist.

Treatment for either condition may involve psychological or other counseling, lifestyle changes, medicine, or ketamine therapy.

 

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