Obsessions
Obsessions are unwanted, distressing thoughts that keep popping into your mind. They are usually embarrassing, sexual, aggressive, religious, or frightening thoughts, and they usually create anxiety. Obsessions often begin with the words “What if….?” For example, “What if I am gay?” OCD sufferers often try to suppress their obsessive thoughts, but the more you try to suppress these thoughts, the more they return.
Compulsions
Compulsions are intense urges to perform certain behaviors or think certain thoughts. (The latter are called “thought compulsions.”) Compulsions often involve doing things “the right way,” or making things “just so,” or doing or checking things a specific number of times. Compulsions are usually attempts to reduce the anxiety or distress caused by an obsession.
Characteristics of OCD
- OCD symptoms tend to increase under stress.
- People with OCD recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable, but feel powerless to stop them.
- People with OCD often avoid situations that might evoke their obsessions and compulsions.
- Obsessions and compulsions can disrupt people’s lives and cause depression.
Types of OCD
Contamination OCD
Obsession – “What if shaking hands contaminated me?”
Compulsion – Repetitive hand washing
Medical OCD
Obsession – “What if I have AIDS?” “What if I have some fatal illness?”
Compulsion – Excessive medical visits and tests. OCD suffers usually feel relieved when the tests reveal no illness, but a few days later, they become concerned that the tests were wrong, and they feel they must be retested.
Danger OCD
Obsession – “What if I forgot to lock the door, and my house is burglarized?” “What if I forgot to turn off the gas range and the house fills up with gas and catches fire?”
Compulsion – Repeatedly checking the door or the gas.
Harm OCD
Obsession – “What if I hurt my child?”
Compulsion – Constant checking to make sure the child is O.K.
Hit and Run OCD
Obsession – “What if that noise I heard while driving was caused by my hitting a pedestrian?”
Compulsion – Getting out of the car and searching the area for an injured pedestrian, calling the police or hospitals to see if anyone was hit by a car.
Treatment for OCD
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
The most important part of treatment for OCD is a form of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy called “Exposure and Response Prevention.” If you suffer from OCD it is important to find a therapist who is trained in this form of treatment. Several psychologists in our group are trained in this form of treatment, and have taught workshops on treating OCD for mental health professionals.
Medication
Anti-depressant medication has been found to reduce the symptoms of OCD by about 30% on average. Of course every person is different, some benefit more and some benefit less from medication. But research has found that Cognitive-Behavior therapy is more effective than medication for OCD.
For more information or to make an appointment, you can call us at
(908) 276-3888.
