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Psychiatric Drug Alternatives for Treating OCD

If you have been recently diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, you may be wondering what your treatment plan will consist of. Moreover, you may be surprised to know that the plan you are given to treat your disorder depends greatly on where you turn to for help. If your first thought is to run to a psychiatrist, you will probably be pushed toward taking a prescription psychiatric drug such as Prozac, or one of the numerous other SSRI drugs. However, if you want to know what your alternative treatment options are before you commit to taking such a drug, consult your closest Naturopath or alternative healthcare professional.

The first objective of most alternative treatment plans for OCD is to balance serotonin levels in the brain, thus reducing or eliminating symptoms of the disorder. Having proper serotonin levels is absolutely vital to regulating mood, sleep, sex drive, energy, concentration and even appetite. By regulating serotonin levels naturally, you do not strictly cover or mask symptoms; you get to the root of the problem. This article will take a look at some of the most common alternative treatments available in the treatment of OCD.

Herbal Remedies

If you have ever suffered from depression, the name St. Johns Wort is probably not new to you. St. Johns Wort has been studied for years and has proven to be an effective treatment for mild depression and associated behaviors. It helps prevent the body from using too much serotonin and allows the body to store what it needs to function properly. The other most commonly used herbs for treating OCD patients is passiflora, valerian, chamomile and lemon balm.

Music Therapy

Although this is not a highly tested area when it comes to treating obsessive compulsive disorder, music therapy has been shown to be beneficial for some people. Listening to specific music selections when anxiety levels are high has been proven to help OCD suffers cope with stressful situations. Furthermore, learning to play an instrument can also be very relaxing and can definitely distract from the compulsive thoughts that often race through the minds of people with OCD. Focusing your energy on learning a new skill is an effective way to keep the mind occupied.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy works by reaching into your subconscious mind to help you better deal with things that your conscious mind cannot. Hypnotherapy may take time; however it is well worth looking into. It has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety, which is often the trigger in obsessive thinking.

Diet Therapy

Probably the most overlooked form of therapy for treating obsessive compulsive disorder, and many disorders like it is through whole food diet therapy. A diet rich in tryptophan, the amino acid precursor to serotonin, is essential to maintaining levels of serotonin. The following foods are rich in this amino acid and should be incorporated into your diet regularly. This list includes: oatmeal, rice bran, eggs, cottage and swiss cheeses, blueberries, bananas, and turkey, roast beef, chicken, whole grains, salmon, tofu, brown rice, baked beans, broccoli, avocado, mackerel, potatoes, nuts and sunflower seeds. It is also advisable that you choose organic, pesticide and hormone free meats and veggies.