Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

There’s a reason why the term “OCD” has made it into our everyday vocabulary. More than 1 in 100 people in the world suffer from OCD and related disorders. But let’s be clear: there is a world of difference between keeping your room neat and tidy, and not being able to sleep or keep a job because you must complete compulsive rituals to drive away obsessive thoughts, images or impulses.

What is OCD? The Intrusive Thoughts organization provides a very clear definition:

“Obsessions are the unwanted thoughts and images in your head. Compulsions are the rituals a person engages in to try and lessen them.” 

Phobias and obsession-compulsion share similar biomechanics in the brain. The neuropathways for storing anxiety-producing memories become so deeply engrained that the slightest provocation can trigger the fear response. With OCD, the fearful obsession attaches itself to the compulsion, forming a tight cycle of response/reward that reinforces the condition. It’s no wonder that obsession-compulsion will always get worse without treatment. The same is true for most phobias.

Here’s the good news: 70% of people with OCD experience relief with Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and/or medication. ERP is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that helps you build an effective response to troublesome thoughts, images, objects and situations through guided exposures. The current statistics show that it takes a person struggling with OCD upwards of 14 years before they find a therapist that knows how to treat with Exposure and Response Prevention!

The International OCD Foundation has a helpful explanation for ERP treatment: “The Exposure in ERP refers to exposing yourself to the thoughts, images, objects and situations that make you anxious and/or start your obsessions. While the Response Prevention part of ERP, refers to making a choice not to do a compulsive behavior once the anxiety or obsessions have been “triggered.” All of this is done under the guidance of a therapist at the beginning — though you will eventually learn to do your own ERP exercises to help manage your symptoms”.

ERP can also be combined with trauma treatment, such as Prolonged Exposure, for added benefit. There are some medications that have been studied which can also be helpful. As psychotherapists, we can help educate you on medication options and refer you to prescribing physicians and practitioners. 

OCD may be referred to as some of these listed below. 

• Scrupulosity

• Sexual orientation OCD

• Harm OCD

• Pedophile OCD

• Contamination OCD

• Just Right OCD

• Relationship OCD

• Perfectionism

• Phobias (including fear of vomiting, flying, driving, spiders, etc)

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder

• Skin picking disorder (dermatillomania)

• Hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania)

We are skilled at treating individuals with co-morbid disorders including:

• PSTD

• Substance Use Disorders

• Depression

• Social Anxiety

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Where does OCD come from? No one knows for sure, but OCD affects equally men, women and children of all races, ethnicities and backgrounds. The condition has a genetic basis, meaning that it tends to run in families. 

Where can I learn more about Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy treatment?

The International OCD Foundation has a useful self-assessment tool, which you can access here.

Moreover, there are some terrific, research-driven materials online, such as IntrusiveThoughts.org, IOCDF.org, OCD Game Changers, Huddle.care, CBT School for OCD, NOCD and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

Please click here to schedule a free consultation today!