Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Terms like “obsession” and “compulsion” can feel big and scary. Alternatively, the term “OCD” is often used as slang to describe someone being particular. Neither are very accurate. 

To put it simply- 

• Obsessions are worries or thoughts that we are preoccupied with
• Compulsions are actions or thoughts that attempt to soothe the fear
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder means that a person’s obsessions and compulsions have impacted their ability to function in some way
• A person can have obsessive or compulsive behaviors without it being considered a disorder

Maybe you replay a moment over and over in your head, questioning whether you misspoke. Maybe you’ve been halfway to work and turned around because you can’t be certain that you did not turn your hair straightener off or close your garage door. Maybe objects need to be placed in a particular order or else you feel a sense of impending doom. 

Uncertainty and worry are extremely uncomfortable. When uncertainties and worries arise and we cannot get rid of them, we feel a need to do something to regain a sense of certainty and control. We may double-check and triple-check. We may call a loved one for reassurance. These attempts to cope help to alleviate the suffering temporarily, but they don’t address the fears at the root of the obsessions. No amount of checking and reassurance will satisfy long-term. 

Traditional psychotherapy has not been shown to be very effective with obsessions and compulsions because the obsessions and compulsions don’t respond to reasoning. 

Therapists who are knowledgeable about obsessions and compulsions often use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that helps people face their fears, overcome their obsessions, refrain from their compulsions, and get long-lasting relief. 

If you are interested for ERP for obsessions and compulsions, contact Pro Therapy Center.