Q: My brother (22 years of age) has been suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder from past few years. We detected it as a disorder around 2 and a half years back. He used to blame my mother for the way certain things went on in the family and now after 2 years my dad is the target. He blames my dad for everything. He blames them for his mental problem. He is under a psychiatrist’s treatment and on medication for the past two years. He takes the following medicines - Daxid, Paxidep, Sizodon, Parkin regularly and Lonazep (as and when required during extreme anxiety). These medicines just suppress his thoughts temporarily. I don't think these medicines can be a permanent solution. He is almost cut off from his routine activities. He is not able to concentrate on any activity. What can be done in such a situation and what is the right treatment for the same?

A:In most such cases, the choice of treatment is a combination of medicines with psychotherapy, commonly understood as counselling. Medicines will only help to a certain extent but his thought patterns and behavioural problems would be targeted in therapy. Therapy would help him to identify his negative thoughts, challenge them and come to more rational/logical thinking. This would consequently bring about a change in his emotional state and his behaviour. Along with this, there are various techniques, relaxation exercises, etc. taught to the patient which he can employ to control his anxieties. Also, patient's nature of relationship with his family and friends is explored in order to understand how they are playing a role in maintaining his illness. All this enables the patient to have a more healthy functional life.