OCD is describes as “one of the world’s ten most burdensome illnesses” and 1 in 50 people suffer from it worldwide, making it the second most common psychiatric condition. Zen Buddhist monks descriptions of the inherent suffering of the human condition parallel the suffering caused by OCD. Many would be surprised to find out that hidden within the psychiatric treatment of OCD, spiritual and philosophical elements exist that are closely connected with Buddhism.

 

Jeffrey Schwartz’s book Brain Lock, published in 1996, outlines a four-step process that is the most common and effective treatment for OCD. These steps are centered around mindful awareness, and Schwartz himself admitted that what he labels as the “impartial spectator” in reference to Adam Smith “is essentially the same mental action as the ancient Buddhist concept.” While current treatment often distances itself from philosophical and spiritual aspects, it is clear that these Buddhist ideas are interconnect and woven into our western sciences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two accounts of treatment also overlap with regard to transformation. In his last two steps, Schwartz outlines the need to refocus and revalue in order to work around the OCD. Buddhist tradition symbolizes the ox as a stubborn challenge in one’s life that cannot be directly overcome. Therefore, you must recognize the situation and go around the ox. Schwartz himself parallels this Buddhist imagery when claiming, “if you stand right in front of this stupid but powerful opponent, it will bowl you right over…you have to step aside and work around it by putting your mind in another place.” Again we see how western and eastern ideals converge and can complement one another in behavior change treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western medicine and traditional spiritual treatments may have stronger links than previously thought.