OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviours (compulsions).

These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.

Read More

Obsessive-compulsive disorder usually includes both obsessions and compulsions. However, it’s also possible to have only obsession symptoms or only compulsion symptoms.

You may or may not realise that your obsessions and compulsions are excessive or dysfunctional, but they take up a great deal of time and interfere with your daily routine and work, school, and social life.

Read More

Obsessions in OCD are repeated, persistent, and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause anxiety or distress. They often lead individuals to engage in compulsive behaviors to alleviate their anxiety.

• Common themes of obsessions include:
– Fear of contamination or dirt
– Doubting and difficulty tolerating uncertainty
– A need for orderliness and symmetry
– Aggressive or anxious thoughts about losing control and harming yourself or others
– Unwanted thoughts, including those of aggression, or sexual or religious subjects
• Examples of obsessions include:
– Doubts about whether you’ve locked the door or turned off the stove
– Intense stress when objects aren’t orderly or facing a certain way
– Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately in public

Read More

Compulsions in OCD are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety related to obsessions or prevent something bad from happening. These behaviors provide only temporary relief and are usually excessive and dysfunctional.

• Compulsions are actions or rituals performed to control anxiety triggered by intrusive thoughts. They do not bring pleasure and are usually excessive and not realistically related to the problem.
• Common themes of compulsions include:
– Washing and cleaning
– Counting
– Orderliness
– Demanding reassurance
– Checking
• Examples of compulsions include:
– Checking doors repeatedly to ensure they are locked
– Silently repeating a word, prayer, or phrase
– Hand-washing until the skin becomes raw
– Counting in specific patterns

Read More

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a therapy commonly used to treat OCD. It involves exposing yourself to anxiety-provoking thoughts, images, and situations while resisting the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors.

• ‘Exposure’ in ERP means facing the thoughts, images, situations, and objects that trigger your obsessions and anxiety.
• ‘Response Prevention’ involves choosing not to perform compulsive behaviors when anxiety or obsessions are triggered.
• ERP is conducted under the guidance of a therapist and includes exercises to manage symptoms independently.
• The goal of ERP is to strategically expose yourself to anxiety-inducing elements while resisting compulsive responses, leading to a natural reduction in anxiety known as Habituation.

Read More