... ocd treatment / ocd therapy in the philippines ... (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist, counselor, life coach)

obsessive-compulsive disorder is more common than we think. in fact, around 20% of those who consult me suffer from the disorder. just like major depression, ocd is caused by an imbalance of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain. it is best treated with anti-depressants-- which are actually serotonin balancers.

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there certainly is hope for ocd patients. once the right anti-depressant and dosage is found, the ocd symptoms should diminish or disappear within 2-3 weeks. the most effective treatment regimen consists of anti-depressant medication, psychotherapy, stress management techniques, and holistic therapies.

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sandra aguinaldo, the host of gma's tv documentary show "i-witness" asked me to share some information on ocd. here is a description of the documentary:

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"Sikreto ko, OC ako." (Documentary of Sandra Aguinaldo)

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Washing hands again and again, switching lights on and off, repeatedly locking and unlocking doors. These are just some of the compulsions of people with OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

.In movies, the behavior of characters with OCD may be portrayed as strangely amusing. But real life for OCD sufferers is not as funny. They have obsessive thoughts that drive them to perform certain peculiar rituals..

26 year-old Efren is so gripped with the thought of germs contaminating him that he would disinfect his girlfriend’s hand before holding it. Hand-washing is a tedious ritual for him. It would start in the kitchen, scrubbing each finger 3 times, then the whole hand several times more. He would then proceed to the bathroom only to repeat the whole process. Although he admits these urges are bizarre, he says that he is unable to stop it.

.Odd as his behavior may be, Efren’s case is not as unique as it seems. In fact, it is estimated that there are more than 1 million Filipinos with OCD. Despite this, OCD is still a hidden illness among us. The stigma of mental illness has forced them to suffer in silence. Yet for most of them, there is a chance to live better-quality lives, if only their condition is understood better..

Together with host Sandra Aguinaldo, enter the unusual world of people with OCD this Monday on I-Witness, airing on GMA-7, after Saksi.