Break Free from OCD - Personalized Therapy for a Better Life
If you or your loved ones are suffering from OCD and you’re here to learn what exactly it is, there’s something we need to tell you first: It will be alright, and everything will be okay again.
OCD is a serious mental health condition that includes intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. However, with personalized treatment and therapy, it can get better. At Janneta Bohlander & Associates, we specialize in evidence-based OCD treatment and offer customized therapy to help you manage symptoms and get back to everyday life.
What is OCD?
OCD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, is a mental illness in which you possess unwanted, intrusive thoughts and then do compulsions as a reaction. These thoughts may be about anything, such as your religion, who you are, love life, job, past, or even a random thought you never even gave a second glance to, and yet they can dominate you with OCD.
OCD often develops from trauma, chronic stress, or anxiety, slowly taking over and interfering with day-to-day life. But with proper guidance, you can easily manage your symptoms.
OCD vs. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
OCD and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) are often confused with each other, but they are two different conditions.
OCD consists of unwanted, intrusive thoughts that make you feel anxious, and thus, compulsive behavior is done to get rid of the discomfort. An OCD person does not desire the thoughts or actions but feels trapped and guilty for even having such thoughts.
In contrast, OCPD is a personality trait and not an anxiety disorder. It’s characterized by rigid perfectionism, an excessive need for control, and preoccupation with rules and order.
For instance, a person with OCD may have thoughts of having germs on his hand even after washing it several times. This thought does not leave him quickly and makes him feel compelled to do a compulsion, like washing his hands several times for hours.
In contrast, an OCPD person overemphasizes perfection or self-made rules for perfection. They feel uncomfortable or irritated when things are organized differently from what they like.
Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Symptoms & Signs
Everyone has been through some sort of anxiety, stress, or even overthinking. But OCD goes beyond just feeling distressed or emotional for a moment. It isn’t limited to just one cycle of anxiety and then getting over it. Sadly, it’s the same repetitive pattern of thoughts and compulsions.
You may find temporary relief from your compulsion, but it’s making the condition worse. But how do you know when you have OCD since everyone gets unusual thoughts? An average human being experiences around 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. It’s unbelievable, right? But that’s what makes us human.
So, we have listed some symptoms or signs that a person with OCD could relate to. But it doesn’t mean that you should label yourself as having OCD. A proper medical evaluation by a professional is essential for an accurate diagnosis and treatment approach.
1. Contamination OCD
- Fear of germs, viruses, or contamination from touching objects, people, or public spaces
- Guilt and anxiety about spreading illness to others
- Excessive handwashing, showering for hours, and cleaning spaces before touching
- Avoiding public places, shaking hands, or touching shared surfaces
- Changing clothes often to prevent contaminants
- Sterilizing or disinfecting personal belongings
- Discarding clothes or things to reduce the risk of contamination
It’s the most severe type of OCD as it makes the person remain in contact with water and cleaning products, which ultimately destroys their skin.
2. Checking OCD
- Fear of leaving doors unlocked, leaving appliances on, or making a mistake while performing a specific chore
- Worry that something small, like not leaving the house a certain way, could lead to tragedy.
- Repeatedly checking locks, stoves, or electrical appliances
- Seeking constant reassurance from others about the things being done in the correct way
- Reading or reviewing information over and over to ensure accuracy
- The constant fear of getting ill or causing someone else to become ill
- Feeling guilty or distressed about past behavior, responses, or perceived rudeness
- Physically performing compulsions like taking a photo as proof or recording a conversation
3. Harm OCD
- Intrusive thoughts about unintentionally hurting someone or yourself
- Fear of losing control and acting violently or vicious
- Avoiding sharp objects like knives as if they would hurt someone with them
- Driving more consciously or taking repetitive turns to avoid perceived accidents
- Seeking reassurance that they would never harm anyone
- Replacing harmful thoughts with positive ones, like how they would help someone in a fearful situation
- Mentally reviewing past actions to confirm they didn’t cause harm
- Repetitively praying or saying words to prevent harm
It’s important to mention that OCD often derives from a deep sense of responsibility and care. Those struggling with checking OCD, for example, are usually highly sensitive and protective of their loved ones. While these traits can be positive, the distress and compulsions they experience can significantly impact daily life, which is why visiting an OCD therapist would help manage the symptoms.
4. Just-Right OCD
- Intense discomfort if things aren’t just right or perfectly aligned
- Arranging or adjusting objects until they feel in a symmetrical or correct order
- Repeating actions, words, or phrases until they feel even or right
- Avoiding situations where things might feel out of place
- Spending hours writing emails or messages till they feel right
- Following a pattern for placing your steps while walking out
- Repetitively measuring the ingredients while cooking
- Doing specific tasks like fixing the wires otherwise something wrong will happen
Just Right OCD is often confused with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), as these are both triggered by the urge to be perfect. However, these both are different. Just Right OCD is a mental disorder that is managed through various therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). OCPD is a rigid personality disorder that can be cured either by professional counseling or psychodynamic and schema therapy.
5. Relationship OCD
- Constant doubts about one’s romantic relationship
- Asking repetitive questions like Do I love them? Or do they love me?
- Fear of being with the wrong person or making a relationship mistake
- Overly focused on partner’s past and their own
- Seeking reassurance from a partner or friends about the relationship
- Overanalyzing feelings, past interactions, or attraction levels
- Comparing the relationship to others for validation
- Displaying excessive affection or care to convince themselves they genuinely love their partner
- Making their partners act in a certain way to satisfy their obsessive fears
Love is meant to be beautiful and fulfilling, not overshadowed by intrusive thoughts and anxiety. If you’re someone going through ROCD, you need to get into obsessive-compulsive disorder treatments like CBT or ERP so that you can fully enjoy your relationship.
6. Real Event OCD
- Constantly ruminating about a past mistake or event, fearing it defines them.
- Anxiety over whether they unknowingly harmed someone in the past
- Repeatedly analyzing memories for reassurance
- Seeking validation from others about past actions
- Avoiding situations that trigger guilt or self-doubt
- Resisting meeting people and going to places that remind them of their bad memory
- Saying specific words or asking for forgiveness to relieve their anxiety
- They hate themselves for behaving in a certain way
7. Religious or Moral OCD or Scrupulosity
- Fear of committing a sin or offending a higher power
- Worrying about not being good enough morally or spiritually
- Having unwanted thoughts about God’s existence
- Repetitive prayers, confessions, or religious rituals
- Avoiding situations that might lead to immoral behavior
- Seeking constant reassurance from religious leaders or scholars
- Feeling guilty about their thoughts and replacing them with good ones
- Doing a specific moral act repeatedly to wash away their sins
8. Pure-O OCD or Primarily Obsessional OCD
Unlike other types of OCD, Pure-O involves having both intrusive thoughts and compulsions. People with this form of OCD rarely show visible physical compulsions, yet they experience significant distress as they constantly battle their thoughts internally.
- Constant unwanted thoughts about taboo topics (e.g., sexual orientation, morality, violence, religion)
- Fear of having an identity crisis or being a bad person
- Mentally reviewing past behaviors for reassurance
- Seeking validation from others to confirm their identity or morality
- Constantly assuring themselves to be a good person for their loved ones
- Regretting past mistakes and what could have been done instead
- Having thoughts triggered by certain words or phrases
- Excessively analyzing their relationships and attachment level
- Performing specific OCD tests online or checking their symptoms
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Therapies and Treatments
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is treatable. Some professional and evidence-based approaches can help individuals control their thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Below are some of the most effective OCD treatments and therapies that significantly improve OCD symptoms.
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is the gold standard treatment for OCD and its types. It helps individuals recognize and challenge intrusive thoughts and replace them with healthier thinking patterns. CBT works by allowing your thoughts to pass by without trying to fixate them.
2. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a specialized form of CBT that involves gradual exposure to obsessive fears and thoughts while resisting compulsive behaviors. With time, individuals experience less anxiety and fear when encountering triggers that once made them feel overwhelmed.
3. Medication for OCD
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and sertraline are typically prescribed to help regulate brain chemistry and reduce OCD symptoms. However, doctors may recommend tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Clomipramine) or a combination of ocd medications. But these medications serve as a temporary relief, and you need to get therapy alongside them to combat your ocd thoughts in the long run.
4. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps individuals develop psychological flexibility and teaches them to accept intrusive thoughts rather than trying to suppress or control them. This approach reduces distress and increases overall well-being. This behavior helps people get immune to their anxious thoughts without attaching them to themselves.
5. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT combines mindfulness techniques with CBT to help people observe intrusive thoughts without reacting to them. It enhances emotional regulation and reduces anxiety. This therapy includes meditation, breathing exercises, and certain mindfulness activities.
6. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) & Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
For treatment-resistant OCD, advanced interventions like DBS and TMS may be considered. These involve targeted brain stimulation to regulate compulsive behaviors. However, this kind of treatment is often considered in cases of severe OCD that are unable to be treated with standard approaches.
FAQ
Can a therapist diagnose OCD?
Yes, a licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychologist, can diagnose OCD through clinical assessments, discussions about your symptoms, and standardized diagnostic tools.
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
OCD is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to ease anxiety.
How can a therapist help with OCD?
A therapist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can help you understand and manage your OCD symptoms. Therapy focuses on reducing compulsions, managing intrusive thoughts, and developing healthier coping strategies.
Can OCD go away on its own?
OCD rarely goes away without treatment. While symptoms may fluctuate, professional therapy and, in some cases, medication are the most effective ways to manage and reduce OCD’s impact on daily life.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
The exact cause of OCD isn’t known. It’s likely a combination of genetic, neurobiological, behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors. Some people may have a predisposition towards developing OCD, which is then triggered by a stressful life event.
- OCD can manifest in various ways, but four common categories of OCD symptoms include:
- Contamination Obsessions with Cleaning Compulsions: Fear of contamination leads to excessive cleaning or washing.
- Harm Obsessions with Checking Compulsions: Fear of causing harm, often leading to compulsive checking behaviors to prevent perceived disasters.
- Symmetry Obsessions with Ordering/Arranging Compulsions: Need for symmetry or exactness, leading to compulsive arranging or ordering behaviors.
- Unwanted Forbidden or Taboo Thoughts: Obsessions involving unwanted and distressing thoughts around themes like aggression, religion, or sexuality, often leading to mental rituals to cope with these thoughts.
OCD is typically treated with a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically a technique called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). In severe cases, other treatment options may be explored, such as intensive outpatient and residential programs or even neurosurgery for mental illness.
Overcoming OCD usually involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP), and sometimes medication. This process involves gradually facing feared thoughts and situations while refraining from engaging in compulsions. Self-care practices like regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and stress management can also be beneficial. It’s crucial to work with a mental health professional to develop an effective treatment plan.
