Are obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours interfering with your daily life?
It’s
normal, on occasion, to go back and double-check that the door is locked, worry
about germs, or have occasional unpleasant reoccurring thoughts. However, if
you suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive thoughts and
compulsive behaviours can become so consuming that they interfere with your
daily life. OCD is an anxiety
disorder characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts,
and ritualized repetitive behaviours you feel compelled to perform. If you have
OCD, you probably recognize that your obsessive thoughts and compulsive
behaviors are irrational—but even so, you feel unable to resist them and break
free.
Like
a needle getting stuck on an old record, OCD causes the brain to get stuck on a
particular thought or urge. For example, you may check the stove 21 times to
make sure it’s really turned off or wash your hands until they’re scrubbed raw
for fear of germs. While you don’t derive any sense of pleasure from performing
these repetitive behaviors, they may offer some passing relief for the anxiety
generated by the obsessive thoughts. It can seem like there’s no escaping your
obsessions and compulsions.
Anxiety counselling for OCD has helped many people regain control
Over
my 40 years of practice experience, I have helped many individuals struggling
with persistent symptoms of
OCD. This includes a specific client that would wash their body for 7-8
hours on a daily basis and had a water bill upwards of $800 a month. After our
therapeutic work together, they reduced their daily washing to 30-45 minutes
and the water bill dropped to $12O monthly. They were very happy with the
results.
Another
one of my clients had a significant fear of contamination and had stopped
leaving their house altogether, as a result. This person would not touch the
doors, walls, doorknobs, and wouldn’t even sit on the sofa. After 9 sessions
of anxiety
counselling with me, they started going out and started a job
as a bus driver. They were able to regain control over their life.
These
are some examples of clients that I have worked with as a therapist in Ottawa,
who have had a significant improvement in their quality of life after working
with me.
My
work is informed by evidence-based approaches for the treatment of OCD, and is
also trauma-informed, culturally inclusive, and strengths based. In addition to
my clinical knowledge, I have extensively read and researched best therapeutic
strategies for treating OCD. I am well-versed in the research work of Eda Foe,
Steven Hayes, Wilson Reid, Jeffrey Schwartz and Rebecca Goldberg. I use these
research-based interventions and customize them to best support you in your
journey towards healing.
If
you feel you may suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, let me help you to
get control of your life back. Contact
Family-Therapy to make an appointment.
Comments
Post a Comment