Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (known as OCD) is an anxiety disorder linked to unwanted thoughts (obsessions), these thoughts lead to anxiety and behaviours or other ways of neutralising unwanted thoughts (compulsions).
What is OCD?
While many of us have quirks and behaviours which we may label OCD in a mild and often light-hearted way, OCD is a real problem for many people causing them to feel in constant distress and negatively impacts the individuals’ quality of life and health.
People with OCD will have compulsions to complete certain routines or daily rituals for fear that something bad will happen to them or their loved ones if they do not do it. The behaviours reduce anxiety in the short term but are not helpful in the long term.
There is a cycle that OCD follows
Obsessions
Anxiety
Compulsions
Relief
Trying to ignore or stop our obsessions, may only increase distress and anxiety as ultimately the person with OCD will feel driven to perform compulsive acts to try to ease the stress. Despite efforts to ignore or get rid of bothersome thoughts or urges, they keep coming back. This leads to more ritualistic behaviour in the vicious cycle of OCD.
OCD often centres around certain themes for example, an excessive fear of getting contaminated by germs. To ease your contamination fears, you may compulsively wash your hands until they’re sore and chapped.
People with OCD may be ashamed and embarrassed about the condition, but treatment can be effective.
Rumination
One of the core characteristics of OCD is Rumination (obsessive rumination disorder), this causes a person to spend an excessive amount of time worrying, figuring out, trying to understand, analysing or clarifying thought or theme. When this takes over and stops a person from being able to live a normal life, then it becomes a disorder.
signs of OCD and symptoms
- cleaning and hand washing.
- checking – such as checking doors are locked or that the gas is off
- counting
- ordering and arranging
- hoarding
- asking for reassurance
- repeating words in their head
- thinking "neutralising" thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts.
Treatment for OCD
Mental health professionals identify OCD by compulsions that cause excess stress in the life of the sufferer. The way in which OCD manifests itself in people can vary widely, however we can help by providing you with the right treatment to help alleviate symptoms of OCD.
Book an appointment
All clinicians at Oxford CBT practice Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or are Psychologists, providing evidence-based interventions and support for OCD and a range of other conditions for both young people and adults. If you would like more information, please visit our FAQ’s page or get in touch via our online contact form or call us on 01865 920077.
Clinicians who specialize in treating OCD
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Complete screening questionnaire and we will connect you with a therapist according to your needs and requirement criteria.
