What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD places individuals in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images or urges that cause feelings of distress. Compulsions are behaviors that a person may engage in to ease the distress or eliminate the unwanted thought. Though we all have busy or obsessive thoughts at times, we may not have OCD unless the thoughts become so consistent and time-consuming that they interfere with daily functioning in a significant way. |
- Contamination - this is the most stereotypical, but not always present obsession. Fear of germs, disease, dirt or other environmental contaminants.
- Loss of Control - impulse to harm themselves or others, violent or horrific images in his or her mind, fear of blurting out obscenities or insulting people.
- Religious obsession - deep concern with offending God or being pious, concerned with morality or right and wrong.
- Obsessions related to perfectionism - excessive attention to detail and exactness, concern with needing to remember, inability to decide what to keep or get rid of, fear of losing things
What are some common compulsions performed by someone with OCD?
- Washing and cleaning - again the most stereotypical but not always present. Washing hands, excessive bathing, cleaning the home excessively.
- Mental compulsions - excessive review of events, praying for safety, counting to a certain “safe” number, etc.
- Checking - checking and rechecking that you have not offended or harmed someone, checking that nothing bad has happened, checking and re-checking for mistakes or errors, checking on lights, stoves or other appliances.
- Repeating - repeating verbal or written words, repeating body movements like blinking or tapping, repeating activities in multiples until done to do a “safe” number.
Managing OCD symptoms and improving the quality of life is the goal of any OCD treatment plan. Here are a few effective interventions to consider if you or a loved one is struggling with symptoms of OCD:
- Meet With A Counselor: Mental Health Counseling is one of the most effective interventions an individual can engage in when struggling with OCD symptoms. Schedule an appointment with a trained specialist to better understand unhelpful thought patterns and equip yourself or your loved ones with tools to help you better manage your OCD.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Treatment models that are effective at treating OCD often include therapeutic interventions that engage cognitive and behavioral support in the form of detecting, disputing, discriminating and replacing cognitive and behavioral distortions. “Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps individuals to develop a new way of thinking about obsessions. Instead of thinking that the obsessions must mean something horrible about ‘me’ or what ‘I might do,’ individuals come to realize that the obsessions are just that — just obsessions.” (*3)
- Additionally, emotionally and physically focused interventions that assess needs and support validation and replacement strategies may also be very helpful. OCD creates anxiety and tension in the emotions and in the body. Identifying where and how the tension is stored, and effective means for releasing such, can be highly helpful in supporting recovery and healing.
- Finally, exposure therapies aimed at strengthening tolerance and resistance are often helpful. Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) exposes someone gradually to the obsession and they learn to react differently than previous learned coping strategies.
- Medication: Many people with OCD use medication to help reduce the severity of their symptoms and aid their efforts to break out of OCD cycles. Consult with your doctor to find out about which medications might assist your specific symptoms. Research has shown that medication support is most effective when combined with mental health counseling interventions.
- Talk about how you are feeling: Even if your thoughts seem irrational or silly, sharing your experience with others will help you find the support and relief you need. Being open about your struggles can also be helpful in rallying additional resources you may not have considered.
If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, don’t wait! Call our offices today to begin your path toward relief!
Author: Hayley Jensen holds a B.A. in Journalism and a Masters Degree in University Administration and is a contributor to the Renew Relationship Counseling blog. Renew Relationship Counseling is a therapeutic clinic that specializes in relationship- focused services. For more information, visit www.RenewRealationshipCounseling.com
*Sources:
- https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/personal-stories/living-ocd-one-womans-story
- https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/
- https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/treatments-for-ocd
This article is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition, nor to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical, mental health, or relational condition. Never disregard professional medical or mental health advice, or delay in seeking it, because of this assessment.
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