OCD

Obsessions and compulsions may be involved in obsessive compulsive disorder. One can also have either obsession or compulsion symptoms only.

You might or might not know that your obsessions and compulsions are extreme, or unhelpful, but could consume a lot of time and disrupt normal daily activities at home, school and work, and impinge on social life.

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Obsessions are thoughts that keep reoccurring, occurrent and unwanted, urges or images which may lead to anxiety or distress. They usually make an individual indulge in compulsive behaviours in order to alleviate that anxiety.

Common themes include
• Germophobia or fear of contamination or dirt.
• Uncertainty doubting and intolerance.
• There is a demand in order and symmetry.
• Cognitions of uncontrollability and self-harm or others.
• Unwanted thoughts such as aggressive, sexual or religious thoughts.
Examples include
• Concerns on whether the door is locked or the stove was turned off.
• Tremendous stress in case things are not in a particular manner.
• Cognitions of yelling obscenities or misbehaving in the society.

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Compulsions are the same repeated behaviours done to reduce anxiety which is related to obsessions or done to prevent something bad from happening

They bring only temporary relief and are usually excessive and not realistically linked to the concern.
Common themes include
• Washing and cleaning
• Counting
• Orderliness
• Seeking reassurance
• Checking
Examples include
• Checking doors repeatedly to ensure they are locked
• Silently repeating a word, prayer or phrase
• Hand washing until the skin becomes sore
• Counting in specific patterns

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One of the typical OCD counseling therapies is exposure and Response Prevention. It is confronted with anxiety provoking thoughts, images and situations where one opts not to engage in compulsive behaviours.

• Exposure is exposure to thoughts, images, situations and objects that cause obsessions and anxiety.
• Response Prevention entails making a choice against performing compulsions whenever anxiety or obsessions occur.
• ERP is directed by a therapist and has practice to treat the symptoms on their own.
• It is hoped to confront triggers and resist compulsions in such a way that anxiety diminishes itself by the mechanism of habituation with the help of an ocd counselor or ocd specialist.

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