Lexington is a small town in Massachusetts famous for being the place where the first shot in the revolutionary war was fired. There are a number of OCD patients in the town and you should visit a Lexington OCD specialist if you suffer from the condition.
Living with OCD is very difficult and there are many obstacles you will face. However, with the right attitude and tools, you can manage the condition to a substantial degree. The following are tips to help you manage OCD:
Table of Contents
1. Know Your Triggers
The first step in managing OCD is to know what triggers your obsessive and compulsive behavior. It is very wise to monitor and record all the thoughts and situations that instigate your obsessive behavior. If you closely monitor your triggers, you can also become very aware of your urges. You will then be able to anticipate them and stop them before they become too serious.
You should also grade the level of anxiety or fear you feel in each situation. You can then start dealing with situations that cause a small amount of anxiety and work your way up to those that cause you the most stress.
2. Be Aware and Challenge Obsessive Thoughts
Most obsessive and compulsive behavior stems from focusing too much on negative thoughts. Everyone has negative thoughts but OCD patients fixate on them too long which leads to obsessive and compulsive behavior.
The best thing would be to record any thoughts, especially negative ones, that you have throughout the day. Note the importance you attach to them and how long you fixate on them. Once you see these thoughts, you can begin challenging their validity. Soon enough you will discover that most of these thoughts hold no water and you can let them go as easily as you let other thoughts go.
3. Develop a Support Structure
Many OCD patients state that they feel helpless and alone in dealing with their condition. To alleviate that feeling, one of the best methods is to get some support from others. The more you are connected to others, the more powerful you will feel, which makes it easier to change your behavior. Moreover, you will discover that there are many other people in the same boat as you which offers tremendous relief.
A support system can help you deal with obsessive and compulsive behavior whenever it arises. You can also learn new ways of dealing with your disorder by communicating with others.
4. Eliminate Stress from Your Life
Stress does not directly cause OCD but it can trigger it or make symptoms worse. Furthermore, being stressed can lead to a host of many other mental and physical health disorders. You should practice relaxation techniques every day if you want to reduce your stress levels. Great relaxation techniques include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises. You should do them every day for the best results.
You should also learn how to reduce the anxiety and stress you feel during an ODC attack. Listening to your favorite song, stroking your pet’s fur, and squeezing a soft ball are all ideas you can try.