Music Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

In order to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), music therapy can provide alternative besides other more conventional routes.

For a cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), you will learn how to confront situations causing an anxiety, which leads to obsessive and compulsive behaviour, with the guidance of a therapy. A nice piece of music is often used to provide a relaxing atmosphere for patients. Thus, it is possible that anxiety levels can be decreased through music. For the CBT treatment, patients are taught to identify situations which relate to the rise of anxiety level, and to apply appropriate types of music to try and reduce them.

Music therapy and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Learning to play
Another positive method to reduce the chance of developing obsessive thoughts is by focusing on something more constructive, in our case, by learning to play a musical instrument. There are two advantages of learning this. The main advantage is to divert your focus and attention from your obsessive thoughts, thus increasing the chance of eliminating your compulsive behaviour altogether. The second advantage is the opportunity for you to develop your musicality, you could even take this up as a new hobby or even as a new skill, and even make new friends!If you are not so keen in music, there are indeed other available alternative therapies available, for instance outdoor activities or sports as a form of therapy, or through community work as a form of social therapy. There is no scientific evidence that these could offer an effective remedy to OCD, but they could also help to deal with OCD.

Hypnotherapy to reduce compulsive behaviours
Hypnotherapy is proven as a successful method to reduce OCD. It has the ability to help reducing anxieties that triggers obsessive thoughts. Hypnosis is applied in this technique, to probe into your subconscious thoughts to extract solutions to problems that trigger OCD. This would not be possible with your conscious mind. Through hypnosis, you are taught to respond to visualisation and suggestion by accessing your subconscious mind. This would provide guidance for you to alter and improve your behaviour patterns.
Fish Oils and Essential Fatty Acids e.g. Omega-3 relieves stress

Although still in early stages of research, omega-3 has been shown to have the ability to help relieving stress and depression that are known to trigger OCD. Scientists, however, are realising that omega-3 provides other health benefits as well, for instance: –
* Preventing certain cancers.
* Treating rheumatoid arthritis.
* Controlling diabetes.
* Easing menstrual cramps and the associated pain.
* Easing mood swings.
* Prevention and treatment of heart disease, including high blood pressure.
Although all fish have omega-3 from their fat, oily or fatty fish are specifically rich in omega-3. These include salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, herring, kipper and pilchards.

Herbal Remedies for OCD
Although there is still ongoing research on the roles and benefits of herbs as an alternative treatment and medication, herbs have been used for generations to treat various form of ailments and conditions. They have long been recognised as beneficial to our health and wellbeing. For instance, St. John’s Wort, or known as Tipton’s Weed, Chase-devil of Klamath weed, has been widely identified as an effective herbal treatment for mild to moderate depression without the side effects of conventional drug medication or antidepressants. Other herbs, for instance Valerian, Gingko Biloba, Passionflower, Chamomile, Lemon Balm (otherwise known as Melissa) and Reishi are also widely-used herbal remedies for mental health treatment. However, it is best to find out in more detail from trusted sources regarding the best method to utilise these herbs safely and appropriately.

Music therapy is just one of many alternatives that you can apply to help you to overcome OCD and improve your health and wellbeing. Try to learn and harness music as part of your strategies to beat OCD.