Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Definition:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are repetitive, unwanted thoughts. There is a sense of urgency and tension that rises until the person feels compelled to act on the obsessive thought. An action based on an obsessive thought is called a compulsion.

Description

An obsessive person will have unproductive thoughts that occur and re-occur. These are generally negative thoughts that seem to invade the mind and are very difficult to stop in their tracks. An example of this is wondering if you’ve locked your front door as you make your way to work. “Did I lock the door properly? I’m not so sure I did, I can’t remember actually closing it, I may have left it slightly open as I wasn’t concentrating properly. Did I? Didn’t I? Maybe I should go back and check”. Now all of us may have had the same thoughts at some point, but to the obsessive, they find it very difficult to ignore the brain chatter and continue to obsess about it and may continue this train of thought for at least an hour.

On top of this the person feels a necessary compulsion to act. They are compelled to carry out an action in an attempt to relieve the associated stress. If they are unable to carry out the action, this stress builds even further and can result in panic. Typically these compulsions involve a ritual such as unlocking and locking the door a certain number of times, washing their hands to the point of making them raw, hording as well as over-tidying to ensure everything is perfectly lined up and in order. One of the most common obsessions is that of contamination and people may even go to lengths of burning their clothes after they’ve been worn to ensure they are rid of any potential germs. Such a person may achieve short termed relief but will not actually enjoy the ritual and therefore gain no pleasure from it. These are the thoughts and actions of an obsessive compulsive.

OCD can be a crippling disorder and completely run a person’s life making it very difficult to go about their everyday duties placing immense stress on friends and family. Related disorders are:

• Trichotillomania (recurrent pulling out of hair)
• Hypochondriasis (persistent fears of having some serious disease or the other)
• Body Dsymorphic Disorder (preoccupation with a defect in appearance)
• Tourette’s Disorder (visible tics-involuntary jerking of parts of the body
• Aspergers Disorder (inability to interact socially and restrictive patterns of repetitive behaviour and interests)

Therapy:

A person undergoing therapy has to realise and appreciate their obsessive thoughts and compulsions are just that; obsessions and compulsions. The fear a person has of not carrying out the compulsion is not the real problem. It is an unwarranted fear and not real or justified. It is this realisation and understanding, that a person must begin to acknowledge and use as the first stepping stone. A complusion to check the door is locked 4 or 5 times is an uwarranted fear. It is a falseness and the thoughts associated with this compulsion need to be recognised as lies.

Through techniques of dissociation, a person can begin to recognise it is the OCD that is creating the problem and these thoughts and compulsions are a separate entity and not a part of the inidividual. By interrupting these thought processes with distraction and focusing on enjoyable things the OCD sufferer can begin to rewire the mind and place less significance on the OCD and more importance on those things you used to value in life. The individual begins to take control away from the OCD and empower themselves. A backup CD will also be provided to continue to reduce general stress levels, helping to increase intellectual control.

Book your FREE initial consultation online | Request more information
Mbl: 07737 162 560 | Tel: 0117 922 7788 (UK based:Bristol)