Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
The central characteristics of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are obsessive thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions can lead to extreme distress and have significant consequences on daily life. An individual with OCD often feels “trapped” by their thoughts.
Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Obsessions: Repetitive and uncontrollable thoughts that invade the person’s mind against their will. These obsessive thoughts typically cause anxiety.
- Compulsions: Actions or behaviors that the individual feels compelled to repeat—either visibly or mentally (“in their mind”)—after being overwhelmed by an obsessive thought.
Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
More specifically, an individual with OCD experiences unpleasant thoughts that seem to “come out of nowhere,” “stick” in their mind, and take over (obsessions). These thoughts generate intense anxiety.
To prevent these distressing thoughts from becoming reality and to relieve the anxiety they cause, the individual engages in specific compulsive behaviors (compulsions). Even if they recognize these compulsions as irrational, they feel an overwhelming need to perform them.
For example, someone might be tormented by the obsessive thought that their house will catch fire (obsession) and repeatedly check electrical appliances to prevent a fire (compulsion).
Compulsions may not always have an obvious connection to the obsession. For instance, a person might feel compelled to mentally repeat a phrase (compulsion) to prevent the death of a loved one (obsession).
Performing these compulsive behaviors is often time-consuming (e.g., a person may spend hours checking appliances in their home).
Although compulsions may provide short-term relief from anxiety, they do not permanently eliminate the obsessive thought, which is likely to recur.
Examples and manifestations of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) manifests differently in everyone. The obsessions and compulsions can revolve around various themes, including:
- Contamination and cleanliness: For instance, an individual may fear contamination and repeatedly wash their hands to prevent illness.
- Causing harm: The person may fear harming someone and engage in behaviors to prevent this (e.g., a person fears that leaving a tap running could flood their home and cause damage to the entire building, so they repeatedly check the taps).
- Symmetry: For example, an obsessive thought may be that objects must be arranged in a specific way. This can also involve mental compulsions such as counting.
- Intrusive, “forbidden” thoughts: These may involve religion, sex, or violence (e.g., a person fears that they will become violent, even though they do not want to). The compulsions they may perform to neutralize these thoughts vary.
Psychotherapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Individuals with OCD often feel that their thoughts are irrational, feel embarrassed to share their experiences, and believe they cannot be helped. However, OCD is a mental health disorder for which effective treatments are available.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) have been scientifically validated and proven to be effective treatment methods for managing OCD.
Below, you will find supporting materials and research data regarding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the treatment of OCD:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | Society of Clinical Psychology (div12.org)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Society of Clinical Psychology (div12.org)
In some cases, treatment for OCD may involve psychotherapy combined with medication-psychiatric monitoring.
In our therapy sessions, we will explore the symptoms of OCD you are experiencing, as well as your overall needs, to gain a comprehensive understanding of your concerns. Then, we will develop a tailored treatment plan to address your difficulties. More information about my therapeutic approach can be found in the relevant section.
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