While undergoing a residential program for treating OCD may seem like the best option, other treatment options are available. These include Cognitive behavioral therapy, Deep TMS, Exposure therapy, and Medication. Listed below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment. Some may be more appropriate for your needs than others. It all depends on your budget and lifestyle.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Although group therapy is intimidating, it is beneficial for many patients suffering from OCD. Patients with OCD may benefit from group therapy to help them get the most out of their treatment. Group CBT is valid for various mental health concerns, including major depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse. Because of its efficacy, group CBT can treat patients with various OCD symptoms. If you live in New York, you may visit OCD therapy in NYC. 

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy helps patients change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This is an active form of treatment, and patients are often given homework to help them apply what they’ve learned. The goal is to decrease symptoms and eventually end the obsessions and compulsions. This therapy is usually offered weekly for 12 to 20 weeks, but in some cases, it can last for a more extended period.

Deep TMS

TMS is a therapy that uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain. Patients are pressed against a coil that generates an electric current. The magnetic field then passes through the patient’s scalp, skull, and muscles, altering brain activity. The device is able to target certain areas in the brain to treat different symptoms of OCD. Patients may experience a mild tapping sensation in their heads during the procedure. There is no need to worry about being shocked by electricity, however.

Patients who have deep TMS can benefit from several different benefits, including the ability to stay in the moment and ignore obsessions. Deep TMS may also help people with the contamination subtype of OCD, in which patients spend hours checking for bacteria, seeking reassurance from other people, and washing their hands constantly. It may also help people who have a history of compulsions associated with contamination.

Exposure therapy

Although behavioral therapies are very effective, only about two-thirds of patients complete them. Moreover, they cause intense distress. Moreover, most patients do not understand the rationale behind exposure-based treatments. Therefore, understanding this therapy can help you improve your chances of completing it. Below are some key points to keep in mind while undergoing exposure therapy for OCD. The first step towards overcoming OCD is to understand your triggers and how the brain reacts to them.

In exposure therapy, you confront the object or situation that triggers your OCD symptoms. You are given support and gradually expose yourself to the problem. Slowly, your exposure to this object or situation can help you overcome your fear of germs in public places. With exposure therapy, you will be able to control your anxiety levels. Moreover, the sessions will help you cope with everyday life. If you do not want to undergo exposure therapy for OCD, you can seek help from a psychologist.

Medication

Medication is often the best way to treat OCD and its associated symptoms. The goal of medication therapy is to relieve low moods and anxiety. In addition, SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are often prescribed for OCD. Anafranil is the longest-lived, and most studied SRI used for treating OCD. But even with these high expectations, it’s essential to understand each type of Medication’s side effects.

Some medications help people with OCD control symptoms, while others treat the underlying cause. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people overcome these symptoms by addressing the causes and consequences of these thoughts. This type of therapy is usually combined with Medication. When deciding which Medication to take for OCD, it is essential to consult a psychiatrist who specializes in treating emotional disorders. Your psychiatrist can prescribe medications and advise on the best course of treatment for you.