What is OCD?
OCD is characterized by obsessions, which are repeated, unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, and doubts, and compulsions, which are behaviors aimed at reducing the discomfort associated with these thoughts. Obsessions and compulsions can manifest in countless ways and are not limited to symptoms that may be depicted in the media, such as hand-washing and lining up items perfectly. We specialize in working with people who may not even realize they are engaging in compulsions, as they are predominantly mental. Mental compulsions may include trying to push away intrusive thoughts, ruminating, reassuring oneself, analyzing evidence, and many more.
Common Obsessions in OCD
- Sexual Orientation: “Maybe I am not really straight?” “Maybe I will realize one day that I am not actually gay”
- Relationship: “What if this is not the right relationship for me?” “What if I’m not attracted enough to my partner?”
- Responsibility: “What if I offended that person?” “What if my negligence causes someone to die?”
- Harm: “Maybe I could lose control and harm someone,” “What if I become a serial killer one day?”
- Pedophilia: “Did I look at that child for too long?” “What if that intrusive image means that I am attracted to children?”
- Racism/Cancellation: “What if I am racist?”, “What if I accidentally blurt out a racial slur?” “What if I said something in high school that will get me “canceled” now?”
- Religious and/or Moral Scrupulosity: Unwanted “blasphemous” thoughts, “What if I am a bad or immoral person?”
- Contamination: Needing to feel “clean,” Fearing contracting illnesses or spreading germs
- “Just Right”: Repeating behaviors until they feel “just right,” “What if I won’t be able to tolerate the feeling of this not being just right?”
- Somatic: Hyperawareness of one’s automatic body sensations such as breathing or blinking and fear that this hyper-awareness will never stop
Common Compulsions in OCD
- Avoidance
- Checking
- Distraction
- Rumination
- Mental Rehearsal/Preparation
- Repeating behaviors until they are “right”
- Rethinking thoughts
- Pushing thoughts away
- Wishing thoughts away
- Counting
- Praying
- Silently repeating phrases
- Moving objects
- Replacing thoughts
- Researching
- Comparing
- Reassurance-seeking
- Cleaning, disinfecting
- Scanning the body for signs of anxiety or arousal
What does therapy for OCD look like?
The current “gold-standard” treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). We also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to bolster treatment effectiveness. Both ERP and ACT are highly effective in improving symptoms of OCD.
Read more about ERP for OCD on the IOCDF website
