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Why Should I Come to Therapy for OCD? By Sabrina Sosa, LMHC
“OCD” is a term that many people in today’s society use to label a person who wants things perfect or extremely clean, but that does not mean that a person really has this mental health disorder. While it is true that there are people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who do not know they have it, it takes a mental health professional’s evaluation to provide an accurate diagnosis. According to Beyond OCD.org, OCD is a disorder with a neurobiological basis that equally affects men, women, and children of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In the United States, about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children have OCD.
What is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the most severe of anxiety disorders. OCD is illustrated by one or both of these two systems: obsessions and compulsions. OCD develops when a person becomes trapped in a cycle of these obsessions and compulsions. This can develop little by little with time. These obsessions and/or compulsions cause significant distress, fear, and anxiety or unease. Obsessions and compulsions can be time-consuming and possibly take more than 1 hour of your time per day. It can even interrupt your quality of daily life and functioning (school, work, family, socially).
Obsessions are anxieties about recurring and persistent thoughts (intrusive and unwanted); urges, or images experienced; trying to ignore or suppress these urges or thoughts. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
Some examples of obsessive thoughts include: obsessing about body image, fear of germs or getting dirty, fear about getting hurt or others getting hurt, fear of hurting self or others, belief that certain numbers are good/bad, fear of evil or hostile thoughts, including warped ideas about sex or religion (intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts/images), excessive attention to superstitions, unproven suspicion that a partner is unfaithful, constant awareness of blinking/breathing, excessive doubt or fear of making a mistake.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors and/or Mental Acts. Compulsions are used as attempts to reduce anxiety, but these behaviors and mental rituals will unsuccessfully continue the cycle of thoughts and behaviors.
Examples of repetitive behaviors include:
hand washing, placing in order/symmetry, excessive double-checking of things (locks, appliances, switches), repeatedly checking on loved ones to make sure they’re safe, counting, tapping, repeating certain words or doing other things to reduce anxiety, skin-picking, hoarding, hair-pulling (if in response to an obsession), uncontrollable collecting/hoarding (not all hoarding is related to OCD).
Examples of Mental Acts include:
Counting and recounting, silently repeating special words/images/numbers, erasing unpleasant mental images, reassuring oneself that everything is ok, seeking reassurance regarding thoughts.
Diagnosis & Treatment
The World Health Organization reports that OCD is one of the top 20 causes of illness-related disability, worldwide, for individuals between 15 and 44 years of age and ranks OCD in the ten most disabling conditions of all kinds. OCD affects 2.2 million adults or 1.0% of the U.S. population.
The most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and/or medication.
Treatment for Children with OCD:
Studies have shown that with good treatment, in particular cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with or without medications, up to 40 or 50 percent of OCD children get better. December of 2016 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, it is revealed how OCD impacts the entire family, with disrupted routines, stressful social interactions for the child, and poor job performance for parents. The research suggests these effects might be impacted by the way some parents respond to their children’s problems.
Clinicians focus on teaching parents effective strategies to deal with pediatric OCD. The focus is on treating the entire family to ensure emotional, social, and professional well being.
GET HELP: If you think you or a loved one might have OCD, you will need an evaluation as soon as possible. At Dr. Luis Hines & Associates, we provide a well-seasoned team of mental health professionals to provide holistic services for your well being (therapeutic and/or psychiatric). Call us at one of our offices below to schedule an appointment for your psychological evaluation. (Telehealth and Telemedicine services are offered at all offices). We look forward to serving your mental health needs!
This article was posted by:
Sabrina Sosa, LMHC
Dr. Luis Hines & Associates
North Miami, FL: 305.895.0504
Coral Gables, FL: 305.642.5255
Orlando, FL: 305.895.0504
Atlanta, GA: 877.897.6987–