Expert Calls OCD 'Cancer of the Mind': Medication Alone Is Not the Cure

MEDICENTER TV / ISTANBUL, TURKEY — DEC. 14, 2025

Expert Psychologist Ceren Tatar has described Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as a "cancer of the mind" that drastically reduces quality of life, warning patients that periods of relief do not indicate a full recovery.

Tatar emphasized that while medication can help manage symptoms, it does not cure the disorder. She argued that true recovery requires psychoanalytic psychotherapy to address the unconscious conflicts and emotions underlying the obsessive thoughts.

The Trap of Research and Reassurance

Tatar highlighted common behavioral traps that worsen the condition. She advised patients to stop endlessly researching OCD in books and online forums. "While it may seem counterintuitive, this cycle of information-seeking only provides momentary relief and ultimately aggravates the disorder," she noted.

Another critical error is seeking reassurance from others. Questions like "Is it clean?" or "Did I unplug the iron?" are common among sufferers. Tatar explained that because OCD thrives on uncertainty, no amount of external confirmation will ever be sufficient. "Seeking 100% certainty is futile; asking for reassurance only adds more links to the chain of obsession," she stated.

Tolerance and Professional Help

To combat the disorder, Tatar recommended exposure strategies—resisting the urge to perform compulsive rituals despite the discomfort. "Even if the anxiety feels unbearable, refraining from the relief behavior as much as possible starves the obsession," she advised.

Finally, Tatar warned against seeking help from unqualified individuals offering "energy healing," "breath therapy," or "subconscious cleansing." She stressed that these unregulated methods often lead to financial loss and delayed proper treatment, urging patients to seek help exclusively from licensed psychologists and psychiatrists.

www.medicentertv.com

Source : CerenTatar / CerenTatar.com