Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - LifeWorksObsessive Compulsive DisorderBy Clare Smart, LifeWorks Counsellor Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects around 1 in 50 people and equal numbers of men and women. It is much more than the common perception of 'hand washing' or 'checking light switches' and is in reality a debilitating and distressing condition for those people that suffer from it. The main features of the condition are the thoughts that make you anxious (obsessions), the anxiety that you feel and what you do to alleviate the anxiety (compulsions.) What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a serious anxiety-related condition where a person experiences frequent intrusive and unwelcome obsessional thoughts, often followed by repetitive compulsions, impulses or urges. People with OCD often realise that their obsessional thoughts are irrational, but they believe the only way to relieve the anxiety caused by them is to perform compulsive behaviours, often to prevent perceived harm happening to themselves or to a loved one. Compulsions are repetitive physical behaviours or mental thought rituals that are performed over and over again in an attempt to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsessional thoughts. Avoidance of places or situations to prevent triggering these obsessive thoughts is also considered to be a compulsion. It has traditionally been considered that there are four main categories of OCD. Although there are numerous forms of the illness within each category, typically a person's OCD will fall into one of the four main categories: For many people with OCD there is often an overinflated sense of responsibility to prevent harm and an over-estimation about the perceived threat that an intrusive thought signifies. It is these factors that help drive the compulsive behaviours, because the person with OCD often feels ultimately responsible for trying to prevent bad things happening. The key difference that segregates little quirks, often referred to by people as being 'a bit OCD', from the actual disorder is when the distressing and unwanted experience of obsessions and compulsions impacts to a significant level upon a person's everyday functioning - this represents a principal component in the clinical diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCD is diagnosed when the obsessions and compulsions: How can Obsessive Compulsive Disorder be treated? There are ways to help yourself if you have OCD. It may sound odd but if you expose yourself to your troubling thoughts it's a way of getting more control of them. You record them and listen back to them, or write them down and re-read them. You need to do this regularly until your anxiety reduces. Resist the compulsive behaviour, but not the obsessional thought and don't use alcohol to control your anxiety. OCD can also be treated with a certain type of antidepressant even if you are not depressed (SSRI). The most effective treatment for OCD has been proven to be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. How can counselling help if I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?Counselling provides a safe space to talk about your thoughts, worries and feelings and your counsellor will help you to find the best way forwards to breaking the cycle of OCD. Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for OCD as it treats both the obsessional thinking and the behavioural aspect of the compulsions. If you would like to see a counsellor for obsessive compulsive disorder or to find out more about cognitive behavioural therapy, please contact Clare at LifeWorks. Clare Smart - CounsellorLifeworks Counselling and Development Dubai CONTACT ME For all bookings and to contact Clare : Contact Clare PH: 055 8817069 or email directly to : clare@lifeworksdubai.com I promise to reply quickly |
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 LifeWorksCounsellingHelen Williams |
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