A significant majority of people do not understand the basics of OCD and the serious long-term effects it poses if left untreated. From triggering substance abuse to increasing victims’ vulnerability to depression and anxiety, OCD can have dire consequences. For this reason, be sure to seek assistance as soon as you start exhibiting any symptoms. People that have this condition tend to have unwarranted fears that push them to adopt compulsive habits that get in the way of their everyday lives. For instance, some victims have an intrinsic fear of germs. As a result, they develop the habit of disinfecting their hands every minute. Do not wait for your condition to progress. Solicit for help as soon as you can. Enrolling for counseling sessions is a great place to start. Nowadays, a lot of therapists are offering OCD counseling and treatment services. Remember that not every therapist has what it takes. Your chances of recovery will depend primarily on the therapist that you choose. In this light, you mustn’t make any mistakes. Ask the inquiries listed below to reduce your odds of choosing an under-qualified therapist.
Which Counseling and Treatment Approaches Do You Implement?
There are many OCD counseling and treatment approaches. You must verify the specific approaches that your prospective therapist uses. Every reputable therapist should be familiar with and well-informed about their designated approaches. In this case, if the therapist that you’ve come across gives a vague explanation or seems clueless, take it as a warning sign. The CBT and ERP treatment approaches are, by far, the most effective means of addressing OCD. Verify whether your potential therapist’s approach includes the CBT and ERP methods. It’d be best to avoid therapists that do not employ these methods.
Do You Support the Use of Medication in OCD Treatment?
The use of drugs in the treatment of OCD is a highly contentious issue. Medication plays a central role in treating OCD. Experts claim that drugs increase patients’ odds of recovery. Having this in mind, it’d be best to work with a therapist that is open to the idea of using drugs. Find out the specific drugs they use. Are they FDA approved? Avoid any therapist that uses drugs that are not approved.
What Are My Odds of Recovery?
No one therapist can give a definitive response to this inquiry. However, they can predict your odds after running exhaustive analysis. Some therapists tend to give their patients false hopes in a bid to get them to hire their services. With this said, never trust a therapist that gives a definitive answer, even before performing tests to determine the severity of your condition.
Your well-being is of great importance. You cannot, therefore, entrust your welfare to any therapist. Asking the inquiries outlined above will give you genuine insights into what your therapist is all about. Thus, enabling you to reach an informed decision. If the therapist that you come across is hesitant to answer any of these questions, you should take it as a warning sign.