Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a debilitating illness, but there are ways in which you can break free from these obsessions and compulsions. Learn how through professional counselling and psychotherapy, you can regain control of your life.
Counselling and Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People living with OCD typically experience obsessions, or repetitive unwanted thoughts that prompt an extreme urge to repeat a specific behaviour. They then act out that urge, or compulsion, to help relieve the obsessive thought.
It can often be time-consuming and disrupt their daily life because of the actions that they are compelled to perform. It feels like their mind is a broken record that keeps on replaying the obsessive thoughts over and over again until they repeatedly do the compulsive behaviour.
Plenty of people double-check to make sure they’ve locked the front door or turned off the stove. It’s also very common to have a superstition or two, like knocking on wood or wearing your team’s jersey when they play. These habits might help you feel more secure, but they don’t automatically suggest OCD.
For people living with OCD, these rituals aren’t a matter of personal choice. Rather, they complicate and disrupt everyday life. Many people with OCD recognise the thoughts and beliefs fuelling their compulsions as illogical, or at least highly unlikely. Still, they act on them in order to relieve the distress caused or prevent persistent fears from becoming reality.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of OCD?
Obsessive compulsive disorder involves two main types of symptoms: obsessions and compulsions. Many people living with OCD experience both obsessions and compulsions, but some people only experience one or the other. These symptoms aren’t just fleeting or short-lived. Even milder symptoms can take up at least an hour each day and significantly affect your day-to-day activities.
Obsessions or compulsions might affect your ability to pay attention at school or complete tasks at work. They could even keep you from going to school or work, or anywhere else. You might realise the obsessive thoughts aren’t true, or know the compulsive behaviours won’t actually do anything to prevent them. Yet they often feel uncontrollable, all the same.
Obsessions
- Worries about germs, dirt, or illness
- Fears of saying something which could be offensive or obscene
- Fears of harming yourself or someone else
- A need to have your possessions aligned, orderly, or symmetrical
- Worries about throwing things away
- Questioning your sexual desires or orientation
- Worries about the health and safety of yourself or your loved ones
- Intrusive images, words, or sounds
- Explicit sexual or violent thoughts
These unwanted and intrusive thoughts keep continue to keep coming back, no matter how hard you try to suppress them. Their very persistence can lead to an even stronger conviction that they might be true, or might come true, if you don’t take steps to prevent them.
Compulsions
- Washing your hands, objects, or body
- Organising or aligning objects in a very specific way
- Counting or repeating specific phrases
- Touching something a set number of times
- Seeking reassurance from others
- Collecting certain objects or buying several of the same item
- Hiding objects you could use to hurt yourself or someone else
- Mentally going over your actions to make sure you haven’t harmed anyone else
You can think of compulsions as a response to obsessions. Once an obsession surfaces, you might feel compelled to take action in order to relieve the anxiety and distress it causes or to keep that obsessive thought from coming true.
Donna Marie Thomas
Hello, my name is Donna, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and Registered Member of BACP based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
I have a passion for helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life via a person centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment with me today.
What Causes OCD?
Experts are not agreed upon what exactly causes OCD, but a family history of the condition may play a significant part.
If you’re genetically more likely to develop OCD, other factors can also increase your chances of developing the condition, including the following:
- Stress or trauma
- Personality
- Abuse in childhood
- Traumatic brain injury
OCD is often linked with other conditions, including:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Tourette syndrome
- Major depressive disorder
- Eating disorders
Counselling and Therapy Options
Psychotherapy offers a variety of ways to you recover from OCD and delve deeper into what’s driving it. Healing from OCD is possible and key to this is exploring the underlying root causes of how your OCD manifests.
People who suffer from OCD live in a constant state of fear and anxiety, it’s not easy but by gradually facing your fears through a process of counselling and psychotherapy you can reclaim control in their lives.
Below are some of the most common therapies:
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
What are the Benefits of Counselling and Psychotherapy for OCD?
Psychotherapy and counselling is not only beneficial in helping the symptoms of OCD, it also helps to foster a deeper understanding of your thoughts and emotions. As well as developing healthy coping skills, working with a therapist can make your recovery a fulfilling experience.
Living life with obsessive compulsive disorder is not easy and can be debilitating, terrifying and can make you feel helpless and exhausted by the constant demands the illness places upon you. However, people with OCD are typically strong willed and do not allow their illness to define their character, so recovery is possible.
Below are some of the benefits you will receive:
- Identification of triggers and warning signs
- Empowerment and ownership
- Improved coping skills
- Improved self-awareness and insight
- Resilience building and preparedness
- Support and accountability
How Innerworth Counselling Can Help
The recovery process for OCD is a journey, and for many a lifetime commitment. There isn’t a quick fix or a magic bullet to treat it, however with counselling and therapy you will receive a safe, soothing and confidential space where you can begin to discuss and understand the root causes of your obsessive compulsive disorder.
It is also a space where you can begin to explore both the emotional and physical aspects of your OCD and learn a range of techniques which will allow you to cope better with the symptoms enabling you to take back control of your life.
Take the First Step Now
I offer private therapy, and take a person-centred approach, meaning that I’m non-judgemental, see clients as equals, and collaborate on your healing journey together.
If you feel that you could benefit from therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder, please book an initial consultation. You don’t have to prepare for this, just come as you are and we can look into how I might be able to help.
Additional Information
Here are some links that you may find helpful:
Mind
The team at Mind provide information on a range of mental health problems.
www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on: 116 123.
www.samaritans.org
Contact me today to book a confidential consulation
What My Clients Say
Jason Osborne
I shall be forever bewildered by the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. I had always remained sceptical until my very last session, then the “weight” that suddenly lifted was both physical and emotional and continues to benefit both myself and those around me three years on – thank you Donna.
Jason Osborne
Abigail Johnson
I’ve finally found a solution to my dependency on food. Your weight-loss therapy sessions have seriously transformed my life. Honestly, I could cry, I am so happy and feel like a totally new person, inside and out! Truly amazing Donna.
Abigail Johnson
Charlotte Dickinson
I went to see Donna because my anxiety and depression had spiralled out of control. I now have skills and techniques that I can use for the rest of my life to help me cope with any challenges. Thoroughly recommend psychotherapy from Innerworth Counselling. Donna is warm, professional and clearly passionate about what she does.