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RISING WOMEN EXPERT
ADVICE...
What is OCD and how can it be helped?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder where sufferers
experience obsessive patterns of behaviour and/or repetitive thoughts that
repeatedly enter their mind, making them feel out of control and
mentally/physically drained. The person with OCD does not want to have these
ideas and knows they are irrational, but feels compelled to act on them.
OCD symptoms include issues such as compulsive washing, cleaning, touching,
checking and re-checking, hoarding, measuring, exactness and orderliness.
Obsessions can be about germs, dirt or contamination, counting numbers, and
even repeating tasks a certain number of times. OCD’ers can also have
obsessive thoughts about doing harm to themselves or others, or an obsessive
need to feel safe.
The distressing feelings that come from obsessions make people with OCD
engage in specific “rituals” which provide some relief from their
discomfort. These are the compulsions/ behaviours they feel driven to
perform repeatedly or with specific “rules”. For example, I had one client
who had to touch a particular item across the room when visiting a friend.
If she didn’t, then the irrational thought in her mind was that something
bad was going to happen to her family.
Other features of OCD can include avoidance; for example, a person with
intrusive thoughts about harming someone may feel a need to avoid being
alone with that particular person in case it triggers the distressing
obsessions. They may also try to suppress their thoughts but trying not to
think of a specific thought brings into play the law of reversed effect;
making the thought more likely to return. Over time sufferers can become
more isolated from others, performing their rituals in secret as fear of
ridicule, embarrassment, rejection or guilt can be part of their thinking
too. Depression commonly results due to the constant state of anxiety and
the thoughts that can completely overwhelm the OCD’ers life.
Doctors often treat both the OCD and depression with the same medication (SSRI’s).
Unfortunately, this only addresses the symptoms and doesn’t deal with the
underlying cause or the thoughts. As our thinking affects our feelings,
which affect our behaviour, there is always something you can do to address
negative thoughts. Seeing a therapist who specializes in anxiety, OCD or
depression can help you work through some of your thoughts and feelings.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Hypnotherapy are the most effective
ways of changing irrational or negative belief thoughts.
For more help on overcoming OCD or anxiety, contact Claire Bramham,
Clinical Hypnotherapist at Mind & Body Therapy Inc. at 403.397.0011 or
through her website at
www.mindandbodytherapy.ca
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