WHAT IS OCD, AND WHAT TREATMENT PLANS ARE EFFECTIVE?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a term we have heard many times. Ever wondered, what goes on in the mind of the people who have it?Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to compulsive behaviours. OCD revolves around ideas like the fear of germs or to do things and arrange items in a particular way. Some people have a habit of washing their hands again and again or cleaning the same area of a room until they are satisfied. Obsessions are unwanted, urges that cause intense distressing feelings. The onset of OCD is usually gradual but it gets worse with age.
The roots of obsessive behaviour are found in obsessive thoughts , constant yearning, impulsive ideas, anxiety, unwanted emotional pull that causes distress and a turmoil in a person’s daily routine or lifestyle. Compulsive behaviours are activities that are engaged in on a regular basis. The person engaging in these actions is aware about the negative outcome and its affects on mental health but is unable to stop even though they wish to do so.Obsessive compulsions is when a person performs certain behaviours to relieve anxiety, tension , stress and negative thoughts or energy. For instance, checking if the door is locked , the iron switch is pulled out, the gas knob is turned off, overexercising, overeating, or even compulsively taking selfies etc.In most cases these behaviours only provide temporary relief to the worry and can rarely help in decreasing the levels of anxiety. On the contrary, the fears keep coming back and the person tends to repeat the same behaviour again and again.
SYMPTOMS:
OCD is a vicious cycle. It begins with an obsessive thought leading to anxiety and making people to behave in a compulsive manner which may provide temporary relief.
Obsessive, intrusive thoughts often include thoughts about harming oneself or someone else.
A few symptoms of OCD are:
* Checking doors, stoves, water faucets, and lights
* Making lists again and again
* Rearranging things
* Doing actions a certain amount of time.
* Rereading or rewriting unnecessarily
* Repeating phrases
* Excessive washing that takes up hours of each day.
These symptoms usually begin gradually and vary throughout life.
TREATMENTS:
Treating OCD can be challenging but it is not impossible if done under the guidance of a psychotherapist. Not everyone can understand the benefits of therapy unless they have tried it out. It works wonders for some while others have sworn it off. If you have OCD, then I would say you should give it a try and then see how it works out for you.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP):People with OCD find it hard to deal with the uncertainty in their lives. The acceptance of uncertainty is key to a treatment process called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP has two parts i.e exposure and response prevention. The concept revolves around exposing oneself to anxiety and stress and then controlling the compulsive behaviours one would normally perform in the response. When this is done on a regular basis, the person becomes used to the heavy vibrations and thoughts and they don’t bother them anymore. ERP is currently one of the best ways to deal with OCD. With a little guidance, motivation and a good ERP plan people can feel a great amount of change in the way they feel about life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by modifying the way you think react and behave to situations. A large group of people favor the efficiency of CBT along with ERP in treating OCD. It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems like OCD too. CBT is a form of psychological treatment explicitly based on learning and cognitive principles. Twelve to 16 sessions are typical, however periodic booster sessions are helpful to maintain gains and prevent relapse. CBT educates people to recognize and reframe anxiety-provoking insights.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):Knowing one’s values is very important . ACT teaches people how to accept things the way they are and the way they feel while also identifying their values and acting in line with them. ACT is very helpful when applied and combined with ERP. People act compulsively as there is so much fear and anxiety in and around them. The techniques of mindfulness and meditation taught in ACT help in dealing with and reducing the level of stress caused by the thoughts of fear. It also helps in developing a sense of openness to change and flexibility.
For more information on OCD or how Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy Therapists can help or to book an appointment please give us a call 647-267-9853 or email us info@vaughanpsychotherapist.com