Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Counseling
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is recognized as a significant condition within the spectrum of anxiety disorders. At its core, OCD is characterized by the presence of persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges, known as obsessions. These obsessions often evoke intense feelings of anxiety, fear, distress, or discomfort. In an attempt to alleviate this distress or prevent a feared outcome, individuals with OCD engage in repetitive physical or mental acts called compulsions or rituals. These compulsions can range from observable behaviors like excessive hand-washing, checking, ordering, or counting, to more internal acts such as mental reviewing, praying, or repeating specific phrases.
A key characteristic of OCD is the often-present realization by the individual that their obsessions are irrational or excessive. Despite this awareness, the urge to perform compulsions can feel overwhelming and uncontrollable. Attempts to suppress or ignore these obsessions often prove futile, paradoxically leading to a heightened sense of anxiety and discomfort. This creates a distressing cycle where the more one tries to resist the obsessions, the stronger they may become, fueling further ritualistic behavior and perpetuating the vicious cycle that defines obsessive-compulsive disorder. The impact of this cycle can significantly interfere with daily life, affecting relationships, work, school, and overall well-being.
-
How Can Counselling Help OCD?
Seeking professional help through counseling is a vital step in breaking free from the grip of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Research consistently demonstrates that the earlier treatment for OCD begins, the more effective it tends to be. Early intervention can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms and minimize the disruptive impact the illness has on an individual’s life.
A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy called exposure and response prevention is considered the most effective type of counseling for OCD. At the beginning of exposure and response prevention therapy, I may ask you to write a list of your obsessions, rituals (compulsions), and things that you avoid, and then have you rank the amount of anxiety each of the obsessions causes from highest to lowest. Next, I will encourage you to engage in the ritual, but first, recite the ABCs. Although it sounds silly, it is very effective. By breaking the compulsion slightly, you start to feel like you are regaining control. In therapy, we will combine exposure and response prevention therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy to help overcome the faulty beliefs (such as fear of contamination) that led to OCD behaviors.
Take the First Step Towards Change
Contact Marina Edelman, LMFT, today for a confidential consultation.
Learn More About Marina Edelman’s Services
You can also find more information on her Psychology Today profile: Marina Edelman – Psychology Today. Or explore resources on the AEDP Institute website: Marina Edelman – AEDP Institute
Serving Westlake Village, Malibu, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Oak Park, and surrounding areas in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and beyond in the state of California via telehealth.