Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Is OCD affecting your everyday life? Therapy can help you understand your thoughts, break the cycle of compulsions and feel more in control of your life.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition that can be very distressing and can affect relationships, work, education and everyday life.
OCD involves obsessions, compulsions, or both.
What are obsessions?
Obsessions are unwanted and upsetting thoughts, images or urges that keep coming into your mind. They can cause feelings of anxiety, fear, guilt, shame or disgust.
It is important to remember that having an intrusive thought does not mean you want it to happen or that it says anything about who you are.
What are compulsions?
Compulsions are things you feel driven to do to reduce the anxiety or discomfort caused by obsessive thoughts.
They can include checking, cleaning, washing, seeking reassurance or avoiding certain situations. Compulsions can also happen in your mind, such as repeatedly analysing a thought, checking your memory or trying to reassure yourself that everything is okay.
Compulsions may give you temporary relief, but they can keep the OCD cycle going.
What Causes OCD?
There isn’t one single cause of OCD. Genetics, brain processes, personality, stress and life experiences may all play a role.
Having a family history of OCD can increase your likelihood of developing it. OCD can also develop or become more difficult during periods of significant stress, including pregnancy or after having a baby.
Being tidy, organised or having perfectionistic tendencies does not mean you have OCD. OCD is much more than simply liking things to be a certain way.
How is OCD Treated?
OCD is treatable, and many people find that therapy can make a significant difference.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is one of the most effective psychological treatments for OCD.
Therapy can help you understand the OCD cycle and gradually learn to face difficult thoughts, feelings or situations without responding with compulsions or avoidance.
The goal isn’t to get rid of every unwanted thought. Instead, therapy can help you become less frightened by your thoughts and more confident in allowing uncertainty without feeling that you have to check, analyse or seek reassurance.
Medication, including SSRIs, can also be helpful for some people. Your GP can discuss whether medication may be appropriate for you.
When Should I Get Help?
You may benefit from support if:
- you’re spending a lot of time checking, cleaning, analysing or seeking reassurance;
- you’re avoiding situations because of your thoughts or fears;
- intrusive thoughts are causing significant distress; or
- OCD is affecting your relationships, work or everyday life.
You don’t need to wait until things become overwhelming before asking for help.
How Can City Therapy Help?
If you think you may have OCD, you can speak with your GP or self-refer to City Therapy.
A therapist with appropriate OCD training can work with you to understand what’s happening and develop a treatment plan that feels manageable for you.
Therapy isn’t about judging your thoughts or trying to force them away. It’s about learning that you can have uncomfortable thoughts without having to act on them, check them or make them go away.
You don’t have to manage OCD on your own.
Contact City Therapy to find out more about OCD therapy or arrange an appointment.
