Is There a Cure for OCD?

There is no cure for OCD today. That's the case with most forms of mental disorders. So don't fall for scams promising they know how to cure OCD.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatments, such as medication and certain types of cognitive behavior therapy, can greatly reduce and sometimes even diminish symptoms. But if you discontinue your medications or stop using the tools you learned in OCD therapy sessions, your OCD symptoms may come back.

Experts Don't Know How to Cure OCD – Yet

Researchers and mental health experts don't know how to cure OCD – yet. Even so, ongoing research seeks to more fully understand the causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder in order to find a cure. Currently, doctors think of OCD as a chronic illness similar to epilepsy, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis. Because of its chronic nature, you need to work at managing your symptoms every day.

Initially, you may find it a challenge to accept the chronic nature of your illness. But you need to accept it and change your focus from discovering a cure for OCD to properly coping with and managing symptoms.

Good News Despite No Cure for OCD

Even though researchers haven't found a cure for OCD, you do have effective OCD treatment options available. Because every person responds differently to treatments, you and your therapist may have some work ahead to find out which therapies work for you. The majority of people find relief by following a therapeutic regimen that includes a combination of medications and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). When the typical treatments don't work, your doctor may recommend some of the newer therapies like deep brain stimulation, biofeedback, or transcranial magnetic stimulation. You may also want to check out some of the self-help strategies for coping with OCD.

It's a challenge to come to terms with your OCD and work to manage your symptoms daily, but when you do, you'll gradually see the great benefits. By taking your medication and using the techniques you learn in therapy, you can achieve significant relief from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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