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Do you have recurring unwanted thoughts that interfere with your daily life? You may be suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here we explain what it is and how to get help.
Obsessions are recurrent, persistent and unwanted thoughts, images or impulses that a person finds disturbing and cause anxiety or discomfort. Thoughts differ, but common themes include a fear of hurting others, sexuality, and compulsions such as checking the stove or turning off lights.
They are a central part of what characterises Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). About 1-2% of people have OCD, but many have obsessions that do not fully meet diagnostic criteria. It is a condition that can cause a lot of suffering and limitations in everyday life, but there is effective treatment for it.
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The causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are complex and thought to be a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It is important to note that there is no single specific cause of OCD, but rather an interplay of different factors.
OCD can affect a child’s daily life and well-being in many ways. The child might have constantly recurring thoughts that are unpleasant or frightening. These thoughts are often irrational or exaggerated, with the child doing various compulsive acts as a consequence. This can lead to anxiety and interfere with everyday activities. Children often seek reassurance from adults and ask lots of questions. Children may also experience increased negative emotions from OCD such as anger and withdrawal.
Why children develop OCD is not fully understood but the causes are likely to be similar to adults, although stressful events such as divorce, bereavement or changing schools can make the condition worse.
If you have a child with OCD, you can educate yourself to be able to provide adequate support, but also contact a child psychologist or doctor if necessary. It is important to create a supportive environment for expressing feelings at home and not to reinforce compulsive behaviours. If necessary, you can also talk to the school. It is good to seek help as soon as possible so that problems do not get worse in the long run.
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Many people with neuropsychiatric problems, such as autism, suffer from obsessive thoughts. This may be because they are detail-oriented and perfectionist. Problems with flexibility can also lead to people getting stuck in thoughts about how they should be. If you have been diagnosed or believe you have autism, you can seek help from a licensed psychologist or occupational therapist to help you manage thoughts, feelings and behaviours that have become problematic.
OCD, which is the diagnosis for compulsive thoughts and actions, is similar to perfectionism. To reduce anxiety, people perform various behaviours or rituals that can take up time and energy. If you don’t perform the compulsion, you may have catastrophic thoughts and strong fears. Examples of OCD include turning lights on and off, checking the stove or washing hands for fear of germs. OCD is similar to perfectionism because people often want to do the compulsion in a certain specific, exacting way to get emotional relief. OCD can be treated, but it may require effort.
Obsessive thoughts often occur as part of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the symptoms can vary from person to person, often following similar patterns. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and change over time.
OCD consists mainly of obsessions and compulsions, with obsessions being intrusive and recurrent thoughts while compulsions are repetitive behaviours such as washing hands, counting, and checking things. Compulsions can also be mental, such as repeating certain words to reduce anxiety. They may also ask a lot of questions to their surroundings and seek other reassurances to reduce anxiety, which may work temporarily but the anxiety often comes back. Obsessions can also include fear of dirt or germs, doubting whether you have turned off the stove, needing to organise things in certain ways, fear of certain thoughts of a sexual or violent nature, and a fear that you will act on your thoughts even though you have never done so before.
It is important to emphasise that obsessions and compulsions are unwanted and create significant suffering or disability. Anxiety and stress may be high in general, and the problems may lead to feelings of shame and isolation. People with these symptoms should seek professional help to get effective treatment.
It is important to seek professional help if you or someone you know is suffering from OCD. A psychiatrist or psychologist can offer a personalised treatment plan and help find the most effective combination of interventions. The treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) usually involves a combination of psychotherapy and medication. For more severe problems, a referral to specialist psychiatry can be made through your GP.
This is the most effective form of psychotherapy for OCD. CBT involves identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. One tool in CBT, known as exposure and response prevention (ERP), is particularly effective. It involves gradually exposing the patient to their fears or obsessions so they learn to avoid performing compulsive acts in response. This is done in a process that is safe and predictable.
Some people with OCD may benefit from medication, such as antidepressants (especially SSRIs). These medications can help control anxiety symptoms, making it easier to participate in therapy and daily activities.
Attending support groups and learning more about their syndrome can help patients and their families manage the condition better. This in turn can reduce feelings of isolation and help with treatment.
OCD is not something you need to deal with on your own. Talking to a professional therapist or psychologist can help you understand your problem better and receive CBT. You are not alone and it is okay to ask for help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with obsessive thoughts and beliefs, it is a good idea to talk to a professional therapist or psychologist. Lavendla’s therapists and psychologists qualified and keep your conversations strictly confidential. Don’t be afraid to take that first step.
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Obsessions are recurrent, persistent and unwanted thoughts, images or impulses that a person finds disturbing and cause anxiety or discomfort.
OCD is not a psychiatric diagnosis, but it can be part of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The causes of OCD are complex and are thought to be due to a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors.
OCD consists mainly of obsessions and compulsions, with obsessions being intrusive and recurrent thoughts while compulsions are repetitive behaviours such as washing hands, counting, and checking things. However, you can have obsessions without meeting all the criteria for OCD.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment that focuses on thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to change negative patterns of behaviour.
OCD can occur in several different psychiatric conditions neuropsychiatric problems in autism. If you have autism or think you have it, it is important to seek help for that too.
Yes, OCD can affect children and teenagers and has the same causes as in adults but can be exacerbated by stressful life events.
If you have a child with OCD, you can educate yourself to provide adequate support, but also create a supportive environment where feelings can be expressed and compulsions are not reinforced. It is good to contact a child psychologist or GP and involve the school if necessary.
It can affect functioning and become very limiting in severe cases. If you feel the symptoms are affecting your everyday work, studies, or relationships, you should seek professional help.
Having thoughts of harming others is common in OCD and if you have it, it is good to seek help and get treatment from a licensed psychologist or GP.
There are similarities between perfectionism and OCD where both can be driven by a fear that things will not turn out the way they should. Book an initial consultation with one of Lavendla’s psychologists and therapists if you have OCD and perfectionism.
Lavendla makes it easy to book an initial session with one of our therapists or psychologists to discuss your problems and start planning a treatment. We help to make the difficult easier.
In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through how OCD can be treated using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Do not hesitate to seek professional help. It is the first step to getting help with your thoughts and improving your quality of life. You are not alone and we are here to help you every step of the way. Book an appointment with one of our licensed psychologists or therapists today.
In an acute mental health crisis, call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk immediately.