Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts, known as obsessions, and repetitive behaviors, or compulsions, which can significantly impact daily life.
Obsessions are unwelcome and distressing ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that repeatedly enter your mind. They may seem to occur against your will.
Compulsions are behaviors or mental acts that you feel driven to perform, although you may recognize them as senseless or excessive. At times, you may try to resist doing them, but this may prove difficult. You may experience anxiety that does not diminish until the behavior or mental act is completed. Sometimes compulsions are also referred to as rituals. Compulsions can also include avoiding people, places, and situations that trigger intrusive thoughts.
Common OCD Themes:
Contamination
Relationship: doubts about attraction, compatibility, your partner, and yourself
Harm: worries about causing harm to yourself or others
Sexual & Taboo Obsessions
Symmetry and Orderliness
Scrupulosity: obsessions with morality, religion, right and wrong
Common Compulsions & Rituals:
Checking & googling
Cleaning & washing rituals
Repetition
Confessing & asking for reassurance
Mental rituals such as cancelling out “bad” thoughts
Avoiding things that trigger obsessions
Treating OCD
Effective treatments for OCD are Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and medication. ERP therapy is considered to be the “gold standard” of OCD treatment and can help to manage obsessions, reduce compulsive behaviors, and regain control.
ERP is a structured approach that consists of gradual exposures to anxiety-inducing events without engaging in usual rituals to reduce anxiety. Through ERP, you will learn to tolerate the discomfort of intrusive thoughts, disprove irrational fears and live a fulfilling life. ERP therapy can be completed in person or online.
What to Expect
Effective OCD treatment often requires confronting the fears caused by obsessions and reducing ritualistic behaviours that only fuel the fears.
Read more about the process of exposure and response prevention here.