understanding OCD

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more than just a set of behaviors; it's a condition that profoundly impacts how individuals navigate their daily lives. If you find yourself constantly struggling with intrusive 'what if?' thoughts, images, or bodily sensations, and you find that you perform certain mental or behavioral rituals in response, you may be experiencing symptoms of OCD. 

Obsessions manifest as unwelcome, intrusive thoughts, ideas, or images that provoke feelings of anxiety, apprehension, guilt, disgust, or unease.

While everyone gets intrusive and distressing thoughts, scientists have uncovered disparities in how individuals with and without OCD interpret these unwelcome negative thoughts. Studies indicate people with OCD tend to perceive their intrusive thoughts as highly significant or threatening in some manner. This exaggerated response stems from the brain's innate threat detection system, which is meant to protect us but can sometimes misfire. It's like your brain's alarm system is on overdrive, constantly signaling danger even in situations where there's no real threat. It can make even your most mild and benign thoughts feel overwhelmingly urgent and threatening. This heightened sense of threat perception leads to increased attention and fixation on these intrusive thoughts as this heightened vigilance is a natural protective mechanism. And so, to alleviate the distress caused by these intrusive thoughts, you may find yourself compelled to engage in repetitive behaviors or mental rituals, or compulsions.

Now, OCD isn't a one-size-fits-all condition. Its manifestations can vary widely from person to person, with individuals experiencing different themes or patterns of obsessions and compulsions. Yet, regardless of the specific manifestations, one common challenge unites those with OCD: difficulty tolerating uncertainty.

In this nonjudgmental space, all thoughts are welcome, no matter how taboo, bizarre, or out there they may seem. It's important to recognize that the brain's creativity knows no bounds, and the faulty alarm system can be triggered by anything. Whether it's thoughts about being attracted to children or family members, or worrying that you accidentally ran over a person while driving, no thought is off-limits here.

As a specialist with extensive experience in working with all forms of OCD, I understand the importance of destigmatizing and finding the irrelevance and humor in all thoughts, no matter how taboo they may appear. My approach is patient, compassionate, and focused on helping you navigate through the complexities of OCD with understanding and support.

COMMON THEMES

  • Intrusive thoughts or images without visible external compulsions, characterized by mental rituals like rumination or self-reassurance.

  • Obsessive worries about whether you're with the "right" partner or fear that your current partner may leave you.

    • Am I truly in love with my partner?

    • What if I’m settling, missing out on someone better, with the wrong person?

    • What if they don’t love me as much as I love them?

    • Hyper focusing on physical appearance or personality characteristic

  • Fears of harming self or others.

    • Fear of self-harm or suicide

    • Fear of losing control or consciousness and harming someone

    • Fear of having harmed (hit & run, sexual assault) someone in the past?

    • Prenatal fears of harming pregnancy or postpartum fears of harming baby

  • Obsessions concerns about sexual orientation and/or identity

    • Preoccupation with morals, ethics, religion

    • Fear of committing blasphemy or living in sin

    • Obsessive concerns about living life in perfect accordance with morals and values

  • Obsessive concerns about how your actions affect others around you:

    “I saw that nail on the sidewalk and didn't stop to pick it up/move it. What if someone steps on it and gets hurt?”

  • Themes include pedophilia, bestiality, incest

    • Fear of having thoughts about children, young adults, animals, family members, or another taboo

    • Fear of physical arousal when thinking of or near sexually taboo object or person

    • False memory or fears of having acted on urges in the past

    • Fear of acting on thoughts and that others may be at risk

    • Character indictment: fears of being a bad person, questioning identity and moral character, shame

  • Excessive concerns and rigidity around planning, organizing, tidiness, and/or symmetry

    • Doing something and not stopping until it feels “right” or “complete”

    • Procrastination due to decision paralysis or being unsure of “right” choice

    • Needing clothing, possessions, or home to look, fit, or be organized correctly

    • Distress from changes in schedule or not having a specific plan in place

  • Fear of contamination, becoming or being dirty, getting sick

  • Fears that people, places, or things associated with past trauma or unpleasant events are contaminated and/or have contaminated you.

my APPROACH

  • Education is key in our therapeutic approach to OCD. My role is to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of your symptoms and how compulsive behaviors contribute to their persistence. Together, we will explore the underlying mechanisms of OCD, identify your specific triggers and symptoms, and collaboratively develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. In addition to our sessions, I'll supplement your understanding of OCD with curated resources such as readings, videos, and handouts that I've found particularly insightful. These materials will complement our discussions, providing you with further insights and strategies to manage your symptoms effectively.

  • ERP aims to disrupt two key associations: the link between distress and triggering stimuli, and the connection between rituals and reducing distress. We'll work on breaking these automatic patterns, teaching you to face anxiety triggers without resorting to rituals. This process involves gradually exposing yourself to feared situations, thoughts, or objects while resisting the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors. By confronting your fears head-on and at your own pace, you'll learn that anxiety diminishes over time, empowering you to lead a fuller life despite its presence.

  • ACT encourages us to embrace our thoughts and feelings without allowing them to dictate our actions. How we handle life's challenges, both external and internal, can either intensify or ease our distress. Therefore, in treatment we will practice accepting what's within our control, flexibility in responding to obsessions, and mindfulness techniques to cultivate objective awareness of anxiety-inducing thoughts. By increasing tolerance for distressing reactions and identifying personal values, you will feel confident in leading a fulfilling life aligned with your values, regardless of anxiety or OCD.

the constant TUG-OF-WAR BETWEEN THE RATIONAL MIND
and the IRRATIONAL FEARS CAN BE EXHAUSTING

But remember, you're not alone in this struggle. With understanding and support, it's possible to break free from the grip of OCD and reclaim your life.

let’s EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY TOGETHER

Reach out to me below to request an appointment or for more information.