Alternatives for depression and ocd treatment?
I suffer from severe depression and pure obsessional ocd and I wanted to know if there are any alternatives for treatment besides taking pills or as an add-on to my medications…(I take zoloft, abiliify, zanax and some homeopathic stuff…) Do you have any suggestions? I’ve herd about cognitive psychotherapy but I don’t know if it’s expensive or not…
Posted in cognitive treatment
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June 7th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I am on the same page as you as far as not wanting to take medication. I do not suffer from OCD, but I do suffer from panic disorder. I am in the middle of learning some cognitive behavioral therapy. It is working well, but it is challenging because at least in my case, I get very frightened to go out for fear of having another panic attack. I am finding CBT is useful for learning that I don’t have to fuse with my mind, and become afraid of thoughts or bodily sensations. I am also learning that the mind is incredibly powerful, and when you suffer from an anxiety disorder, CBT can be helpful.
I am also trying various vitamins. In my case, I have used Valerian Root for relaxation, but mostly falling asleep at night. I also take a sublingual Vitamin B Complex. This is incredibly useful. I wish you luck!
June 7th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Yes, I strongly recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy was well as daily exercise. Try to find someone who expertise in OCD or anxiety disorders in general.
How much it costs depends on your insurance and where you go for treatment and how long you need it for. If you have insurance, I recommend looking to see what mental health services are covered. If you do not have insurance, a lot of therapists are willing to do sliding scale or you can try a community mental health clinic or something like that.
June 7th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I could see therapy working without the use of medications. But, if your entire treatment plan is just medications… I don’t see that solving the problem(s).
Talk therapy (where you talk and the therapist takes notes)… vs other types of therapy… (in my area anyway)…
Is the same, as far as costs concern.
If you have a limited income, you may be able to qualify for County Funding. Although, I don’t even know if you’re in the US. So, that answer might not help you.
As expensive as you think therapy might be… the costs associated with just trying medication…
I would think you would end up spending more money that way.
Unless you have really good insurance.
In that case, you may be able to find a therapist willing to accept your carrier.
Group therapy might also be an option for you. Although, my experience is that it’s easier to find a group for Depression or an -ism than virtually any other mental illness out there.
June 7th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
CBT can help for some people. It didn’t for me. There are other options out there including online programs such as http://depressionwithoutdrugs.org/depressionfree.php that may help