Well, you can call it a stopgap. As long as they're not saying "cured! It's over for you now." I think it is great. Why does the patient have to live through th

Well, you can call it a stopgap. As long as they're not saying "cured! It's over for you now." I think it is great. Why does the patient have to live through the debilitating symptom while the causes are worked on? Perhaps a part of the treatment then is getting the patient to leave the dryer at home on weekends, maybe initially curled up on the coffee table, then in the bathroom, etc. while they go to the grocery store or for a jog. It could be a very good first step. I have a compulsive problem that developed due to an anxious situation I was in. I was taking a nap on the couch, I smelled burning and assumed it was someone in my neighborhood grilling, which was common. I woke up to an apartment filled with smoke, my place was on fire. It was small, I was able to get out the front door (which is where the fire was) and call the fire department, they came and put it out, minimal damage, no loss of life. But still, since then, if I smelled wood burning, even though I know it's probably someone grilling or with a fire in the fireplace I go outside and look around just to be sure. It is irrational and I know while I'm doing it. What helped me was living in a place where some neighbor or other burns wood almost daily. I still get a tinge of "but what if that's not what it is this time" every time I smell it, but I don't compulsively check anymore. Also for a lot of people these mental illnesses cannot be cured, only managed. I'd think finding simple solutions to reduce compulsive anxiety are more sustainable than long term drug use.