Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Therapy
Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapy is designed to help people suffering with OCD symptoms. Living with OCD symptoms can be difficult and anxiety provoking. Getting the right support can be really helpful. OCD could affect as many as 1% of the global population and 1 in every 50 people in the UK is expected to experience OCD symptoms at some point in their lives.
What Is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder when someone experiences obsessions and or compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive causing significant distress and compulsions are often used to neutralise an obsession. Obsessions and compulsions take a considerable period of time each day and impair daily functioning.
OCD used to be categorised as an anxiety disorder. As per the DSM-5, it now sits as a disorder in its own right along with other related disorders namely, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Hair Pulling Disorder and Skin Picking Disorder.
What Is An Obsession?
Obsessions are defined as recurrent persistant thoughts, urges or images which are unwanted and cause anxiety and distress. An individual attempts to ignore or suppress thoughts, urges or images or neutralise them with another thought or action e.g by performing a compulsion. Examples of repetitive intrusive obsessions might include:
Thoughts around contamination
Violent images
Urges to carry out violence
Harm coming to a loved one
What Is A Compulsion?
Compulsions are defined as repetitive behaviours a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession according to stringent rules which have to be applied rigidly. These behaviours or mental acts are aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing a dreaded event or situation. The behaviour is not connected in a realistic way with what they are deigned to neautralise or prevent and are excessive. When a person experiences obsessional intrusive thoughts or images they might use avoidence or compulsion (ritual) to try and neutralise anxiety or stop a dreaded event form happening. e.g.
Repeated washing e.g. hands or showering for hours a day
Checking e.g. cooker hob switches
Mental acts - counting or repeating words silently
Arranging items symetrically
Risk Factors Associated With The Development Of OCD.
Whilst OCD causes are not attributable to one factor some people are at greater risk of developing OCD. Risk factors include: having a first degree relative with the conditions, trauma and PTSD, prolonged stress or having another mental health condition.
Men are more likely to experience OCD in childhood whilst women are more at risk as adults than men. Men are more likely to experience obsessions related to exactness, symmetry or sexuality whilst women are more likely to experience obsessions around cleanliness and contamination.
Psychotherapist
Matthew Alderton - MA, BSc, Dip, Dip Psych
I regularly help clients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. One of the reasons I help clients with OCD is because of the close relationship it can have with trauma. Helping clients with trauma can assist with helping with OCD symptoms.
OCD therapy requires and integrative approach. I use somatic and psychological techniques to help client. My main approaches to OCD include Psychotherapy, body psychotherapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy.
I offer a down to earth friendly approach and like to see my clients making progress in therapy and in life. I look forward to hearing from you.
OCD Therapy Approaches
OCD Therapy Benefits
Happy
When you support and get a handle on your condition you can start making some changes helping you to feel happier and back in control.
Homeostasis
Life is about balance. Therapy can help you to feel safe and reconnect with yourself restoring homeostasis.
Relationships
OCD can put a strain on our relationships with others. Therapy can help improve our relationships with loved ones.
Coping
Developing healthier coping strategies enables you to take back control and get on with your life.
