Can OCD Be Treated Via Outpatient Treatment?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that can be debilitating. It affects people’s lives daily, often with great cost to individuals and the economy. Many people believe that obsessive-compulsive disorder requires inpatient care due to the heavy use of medications such as clomipramine. Treatment can be very effective and provide long-lasting results. The benefits of outpatient care involve the following:
1. Immediate Therapy
Outpatient therapy allows the sufferer to start therapy right away without waiting for an inpatient program to get started. The treatment is smooth and continuous, which is ideal for most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Furthermore, treatment in a therapeutic setting with an experienced therapist is more conducive to long-term recovery. Some individuals find that therapy at a residential treatment center works better for dealing with their obsessive-compulsive disorder. The advantage of this type of treatment is that the sufferer gets to learn various coping skills, making it easier to work on his or her issues after treatment.
2. Less Side Effects
Inpatient therapy can cause many side effects, such as increased anxiety and insomnia. This is due to various reasons, including medication interactions, long-term exposure to medication, and a lack of understanding of one’s own mind due to the intense focus required by the program. Outpatient therapy is a more natural process and does not pose these dangers. The therapist and the patient will be able to focus on the main problem, which is obsessive-compulsive disorder, without worrying about other aspects.
3. Privacy
For many sufferers of obsessive-compulsive disorder, the thought of having to go to a residential treatment center is overwhelming. Some individuals may experience heightened anxiety over this fact alone. Inpatient therapy is usually monitored and tracked, which can cause a sufferer to feel like a prisoner, unable to leave the facility. Outpatient treatment provides the individual with complete privacy and freedom of action.
4. Accessibility
Many individuals find that therapy is more accessible for them for various reasons. They may be embarrassed about going into a mental hospital and prefer to have their treatment in a more relaxed setting. They may also be unable to leave their jobs or suffer from depression that is keeping them from getting help. This can make it hard to travel long distances for therapy. Treatment allows sufferers the freedom to travel or live where they want, which can be beneficial in some cases.
5. Faster Treatment
Outpatient obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment is also faster and more efficient than traditional inpatient programs. Even so, the results are better because of individual attention from care providers plus more time devoted to treatment by therapists. The individual will not be dealing with numerous other patients and the feeling of being a part of a group.
Conclusion
The idea that inpatient care is required to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder successfully is a myth. Outpatient treatment is more effective in many cases and provides individuals with the privacy and freedom of action that they need to be able to complete therapy effectively. At More Life Recovery, we believe in the power of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and our proven track record has shown that this type of obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment is one of the most effective.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]