Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, involves having obsessive thinking patterns that can include unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that make a person feel anxious or distressed.
Individuals who have OCD often have significant difficulty dealing with these thoughts. Those with OCD also have compulsive behaviors which are an attempt to alleviate the anxiety associated with the thoughts or distract themselves from them.
Common signs, according to the Mayo Clinic, of OCD are:
- Intrusive thoughts
- Frequent checking, such as the door locks or making sure appliances are turned off
- Frequent counting
- The repeated cleaning of one or more items
- Fear of contamination
- Hoarding
- Thoughts that you might do something inappropriate
- Thoughts that you might cause others harm
If one or more of the above symptoms resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out today. Research shows that the most effective treatments for OCD are Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a subset of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and/or medication.
As a licensed mental health professional, I have extensive training in helping clients overcome and grow from their OCD. Together, we’ll create an individualized strategy that works explicitly for you. Contact me today for a free consultation.