B vitamins Along with vitamin D, B vitamins also help alleviate the symptoms of OCD. In addition, they play a key role in stress response, as chronic stress can quickly deplete them. Taking supplements containing B vitamins and folate will be beneficial.
Vitamin B12 and folate are thought to be effective in OCD treatment due to their associations with neurotransmitters. Depending on their antioxidant effect, zinc and selenium can be used in augmentation therapy for OCD.
According to a 2017 study, OCD may be an early sign of a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Folate or folic acid (vitamin B-9) is also a water-soluble B vitamin, responsible for cell growth and division. Studies suggest that folic acid can reduce OCD symptoms, like stress, anxiety, and depression in some people.
It is well-recognised that consuming a lot of sugary foods and drinks — such as soda, candy, chocolate, fruit drinks, desserts and other sweets — can cause blood sugar fluctuations. The “sugar high” triggers OCD symptoms like exhaustion, mood swings, and anxiety neurosis.
Magnesium plays a key role in balancing mood and relaxation, and its deficiencies are linked with depression. Thanks to its calming effect, magnesium is nicknamed nature's tranquilizer. This is also the reason magnesium supplements can help those with OCD manage the condition.
Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, taking a walk in nature, or drawing a picture teach your body how it feels to be calm. Try a few to find what works best for you, and spend 30 minutes a day on it. Celebrate victories. Learning how to live with OCD takes time.
Magnesium (Mg) is one of the key nutrients I often recommend. I typically recommend magnesium glycinate, although most forms of Mg are helpful—except for magnesium oxide, which is poorly absorbed.
The gold standard treatment for OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a kind of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) called “exposure with response prevention,” or exposure therapy.
What causes OCD? Experts aren't sure of the exact cause of OCD. Genetics, brain abnormalities, and the environment are thought to play a role.
Obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is an anxiety disorder which, like many anxiety disorders, is marked by low levels of serotonin. Serotonin, a type of neurotransmitter, has a variety of functions that make a deficiency a serious and anxiety producing issue.
Hormonal and neuropeptide changes in peripartum. The commonly accepted pathophysiology of OCD involves low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin with high levels of dopamine.
Increase consumption of foods high in Vitamin B12
These neurotransmitters are important to prevent anxiety, depression and stress which are all indicators of OCD.
Although the etiology of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is largely unknown, it is accepted that OCD is a complex disorder. There is a known bi-directional interaction between the gut microbiome and brain activity.
Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) is another form of treatment shown to effectively alleviate OCD symptoms. ERP exposes the patient to stimuli the patient associates with their condition, while gradually choosing stimuli that increases their level of anxiety.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herbal remedy that has long been used in Iran. In 2010, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the effects of milk thistle to the antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine) in treating OCD (600 milligrams of milk thistle vs 30 milligrams of Prozac daily).
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) work well to help control OCD symptoms. Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are another type of antidepressant that can be helpful to people suffering from OCD symptoms. The following antidepressants are FDA approved to treat OCD: Anafranil (clomipramine)
The best way to put an end to the cycle is to practice exposure and response prevention. This means you “accept” the thoughts, live with the uncertainty, and refrain from engaging in compulsions.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
OCD can also worsen from traumatic events, such as death, severe injury, or sexual violence. Most people are not at their best when they don't feel well. Whether it is from a serious illness or a common cold, OCD symptoms can worsen when someone is sick.
Stress. Most people experience a certain stress level in their day-to-day lives, usually in short-term or manageable amounts. Living with too much stress for a long period can have serious consequences on your physical and mental health and can also be a factor in causing dormant OCD to flare up.
These include the obsessive preoccupations and repetitive behaviors found in body dysmorphic disorder, hypochondriasis, Tourette syndrome, Parkinson's disease, catatonia, autism, and in some individuals with eating disorders (eg, anorexia nervosa).