Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a set of disorders that manifest as compulsive, often repeated behaviors that stem from obsessive thoughts. These thoughts are negative in nature and are noted for their cyclical, repetitive nature.
Repeated compulsive behaviors may involve counting, hoarding, organizing, and obsessive cleanliness. In the worst cases, the individuals may find themselves unable to leave the house or interact with others due to fears of possible harm.
The Importance of Personal Exploration
Regardless of the treatment plan that you choose, it is important to know that you will be engaging in personal exploration. This will not just be a cursory look at your current lifestyle. In fact, it will be a deep dive into your past.
For many people, the concept of the past can be daunting. In fact, for many people with mental health issues, it is the last place they want to explore. However, the roots of OCD are often found in past trauma. Whether we know it or not, the only thing standing between us and the ability to cope with OCD is our own minds.
Treatment Options
There are quite a number of different treatments that are used to help with OCD. For many people, the expectation is that they will chat a bit about themselves and what they are going through. The therapist will then give them the answers. This is quite the opposite of what to expect. With the various options, it is important to know what you will find should you choose to enter a therapeutic program.
Medication-Assisted Therapy
This type of therapy — also called MAT — is often tangentially utilized alongside regular talk therapy. The purpose is to help alleviate the more intense effects of OCD. This lessening will allow your system to feel a bit more relaxed and put you in a mind frame of healing instead of such intense struggling.
Individual Therapy
This is the type of therapy that many people expect to be involved in. For quite a number of individuals, this will only be a part of their treatment. However, talking one-on-one with a licensed therapist can be a cathartic and healing experience.
When you meet with your therapist, they will help you evaluate your situation and develop a treatment plan that will involve the various stages of deep-diving into your past. This plan will be made with you, not for you. You should feel comfortable enough with your therapist to understand that their goal is to help, not simply to drag up past trauma.
Remember that trauma will probably be the focus of this treatment. Personal trauma is something to be explored and mined for answers. For some people, it may be more recent trauma, while others may find that their childhood experiences have created the mindset they currently live in.
Your therapist will make sure to ease you through the process. Healing never happens overnight. In fact, it will take time to unravel your issues fully. It is also important to remember that even if you get to a point where you feel you have conquered the majority of your problems, you may want to stay in therapy.
The reason for continuing individual therapy is that you will have recurring thoughts and situations as you move through life. It is often a good idea to keep up therapy in an effort to continue your path to feeling your best.
Group Therapy
For many people struggling with OCD, the concept of group therapy can be daunting. The concept of putting your life and your problems out for everyone to see is often uncomfortable. Plus, the thought is often that if it is uncomfortable during individual therapy, it will be worse in a group.
This could not be further from the truth. It may feel strange at first, but in the end, the camaraderie of interacting with others like you can be transformative. Imagine knowing that there are people who have the same problems and concerns. They will show you that you are hardly alone in your plight.
In fact, quite the opposite. Knowing they exist and that they are going through the same struggles will allow you to see that these problems are more widespread than you may have thought. Think of being able to speak openly, without judgment, in a setting where there is sympathy and understanding.
These different types of therapy exist to help you and your particular situation. A great treatment program will help to establish which of these you need and in what combination.
The Phoenix Recovery Center Difference
At The Phoenix Recovery Center, you will be given an individual evaluation and access to our collection of programs. Depending on the severity of your case, we will recommend one or more of the following:
- Residential program
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) day program
- Intensive outpatient program
- General outpatient program
Although not all of these are necessary for everyone, there are those whose severity may require starting with a residential or partial hospitalization program. This would lead to intensive and then general outpatient. The process is not short by any means. However, we guarantee that we will match your dedication and exceed your expectations.
Our program is never one-size-fits-all, and we will tailor it so that you feel comfortable, helped, and involved in your own care at all times. The Phoenix Recovery Center is proud to offer you a knowledgeable, caring staff whose only goal is to turn you back into the functioning member of society we know you can be. Call us today at (801) 438-3185.
