I’m looking forward to interacting with members of the OCD
community. My intent is to help people who
are suffering with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and their loved ones, with
their journey to diminish it in their lives.
How can I help? I
know what it’s like to live with OCD. I
know a lot about what it takes to minimize it in day-to-day life. I’m here to share what I’ve learned. What tools are most beneficial differ for
everyone. However, I add a skill set
that most people don’t think about when dealing with this stubborn condition.
I’m a Nutrition Therapist. There is much
that can be done nutritionally for folks suffering from anxiety-related
disorders.
Anyone who’s been around OCD knows that completely erasing
OCD from a sufferer’s life is unlikely.
I’m not here to imply differently.
However, I do think people can feel much better than they do now. I believe we all have health barometers that
are an indicator of something that is out of balance. We feel the pressure building inside us. As individuals, we’re wise to recognize our
own barometers and learn from them. (What we can learn from OCD is a subject
for another blog post.)
OCD can ramp up when someone is emotionally and mentally
stressed or physically ill. Many people
with anxiety disorders have thought “it’s all in my head.” After getting a diagnosis of OCD, I’ve heard folks
express great relief when they realize they’re “not crazy” and begin to recognize
the sneaky ways OCD creeps into one’s life.
A support group can recommend local practitioners who are
successful in treating OCD. In a support
group, you have the opportunity to connect with fellow members who understand
what you’re dealing with. Loved ones can
learn how to be supportive without enabling.
Also important in dealing with OCD is connecting physical health to OCD symptoms. OCD is like a
barometer, and listening to it can tell you when it is time to de-stress your life
to better manage OCD. Stress comes in
many forms. It’s wise to consider
emotional, physical and lifestyle stressors.
Ever hear the term “gut feeling?” The gut is also referred to as the “Second
Brain.” The gut and the brain communicate, for better or for worse. For a recent example in the news about OCD
and physical health read Carrie Arnold’s
article discussing this with psychiatrist James Greenblatt.
Do you feel well physically? Has anyone tried to explain to you how brain
and body imbalances can be connected? Have
you sought out expertise to determine the reason why those chronic physical
maladies plague you? If so, are those
recommendations working for you? If not,
those bothersome bodily symptoms may need to be addressed in order for you to
make progress with your OCD therapy. One
of the roadblocks here is that if you’ve always felt a certain (somewhat lousy)
way, you may not consider it unusual. For
example, I had terrible allergy symptoms throughout childhood. I had twenty minute sneezing fits morning and
night with an itchy mouth and watering eyes.
I distinctly remember how pleasant it was the first time I smelled
spring flowers without a sick headache.
I was 27 years old by then!
The list of physical imbalances that affect mental health is
long. How it looks and feels
individually will vary. Some of them
include: digestive distress, food
intolerances (with or without gastrointestinal distress), a tired adrenal
system, a poor functioning thyroid, and substandard sleep. Of course, an anxiety-related disorder can exacerbate
any of those conditions. A medical
doctor should be part of everyone’s care team.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is one of the
most valuable tools for working on OCD. It’s important to find a psychologist who has significant
experience with ERP and OCD. That
professional can help you not only with the process of ERP, but help you
recognize the ways OCD sneaks into your life.
I also believe that physical wellness is necessary for one to feel
emotionally well. It is possible to
support someone physically while they’re going through ERP therapy with their
psychologist. It’s up to the individual
to decide what methods he/she wants to try and whether to incorporate more than
one method at the same time. It’s critical
to always work with a physician when medication is part of the equation.
An “OCD Toolbox” should provide a path to whole body and
mental wellness, as well as the ability to function optimally in society. It’s all connected. What is your barometer telling you?
