Home remedies for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Home care cannot replace therapy for OCD, but it can support treatment and reduce stress. Be patient with yourself and avoid blame.

For the person with OCD

• Notice and name it: remind yourself "this is an OCD thought", not a fact or a warning
• Delay rituals: try waiting a few minutes before doing a ritual and slowly extend the wait. A therapist can guide you in doing this safely (ERP).
• Reduce reassurance seeking and checking gradually, with your therapist's plan
• Keep a routine: regular sleep, meals and daily activity
• Exercise and relaxation: walking, yoga and slow breathing lower anxiety
• Limit alcohol, tobacco and too much caffeine, which can worsen anxiety
• Write down symptoms and triggers to share with your doctor
• Connect: talk to someone you trust, and consider a support group

For family

• Learn about OCD and respond with kindness, not anger or teasing
• Avoid joining in rituals or giving endless reassurance, which keeps OCD going. Ask the therapist how to respond.
• Praise efforts to resist rituals
• Look after your own health and ask for support

Do not

• Punish or shame the person
• Force them to stop rituals suddenly
• Rely only on prayer, charms or rituals to "cure" it
• Stop medicines without the doctor

Children

Stay calm, keep routines and see a paediatrician or child psychiatrist.

Help now: call 112 if there are thoughts of self-harm, or Tele-MANAS at 14416 in India.

Remember

Home support helps, but the main treatment is therapy with a trained professional.