Experienced psychologists providing OCD treatment.

4 out of 5 people experience intrusive thoughts. When those thoughts become obsessive (recurring) it can influence unhealthy patterns of behaviour that can affect your day to day life. Obsessively thinking about something can lead to repeated checking and be a cause for concern. OCD therapy is recommended and an effective way to overcome OCD. A resolution Applecross has experienced OCD therapists to help you overcome OCD.

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

OCD can be different for each individual. Sometimes people casually comment that they have ‘OCD’ because they are being very tidy or neat, but having OCD is so much more than that. Compulsions could include mentally checking that something has been done, repeating a phrase in their head, counting things or needing continuous reassurance.

How do I know if I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

OCD involves two components; obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are involuntary thoughts, images or impulses that occur over and over again in your mind. These thoughts occur against your will and can often be disturbing or distracting. Compulsions are the behaviours that you feel compelled to repeat over and over again. Compulsions are sometimes performed to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsession.

Common obsessive thoughts you might experience include:

• You have a fear of contamination by germs or dirt
• You must have order and symmetry in the actions you carry out E.g. The idea that everything must line up ‘just right’ or things must be said or done in a particular order
• You may fear harming others or losing control
• You have intrusive sexual or violent thoughts
• You may excessive focus on religious or moral ideas
• You pay excessive attention to superstitions

Common compulsions you might experience include:

• Excessive washing or cleaning
• Counting, tapping, repeating certain words or doing senseless things to reduce anxiety
• Ordering or arranging things ‘just so’
• Praying excessively or engaging in rituals triggered by religious fear
• Arranging tasks in a rigid fashion
• Repeating phrases in your mind
• Mentally checking that something has been done
• Accumulating ‘junk’ such as old papers
• Needing continuous reassurance

Compulsions can provide temporary relief from your anxiety if you have OCD, however, these rituals can cause a vicious cycle and can result in being repeated over and over again.

How do I know when I need professional help?

If you notice that your obsessions or compulsions take up more than an hour of your day or are impeding with your ability to carry out your daily tasks, then we recommend you seek professional help.

What does OCD treatment involve?

If you have mild OCD symptoms then you can normally resolve these on their own. However, if the symptoms are more moderate to severe then you may need a combination of medication and therapy. The most effective treatments for OCD involve a combination of medication and cognitive behavioural therapy.

How can therapy help with OCD?

It is in your best interest to find a psychologist who is experienced in treating people with OCD. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is an excellent way to manage and overcome your OCD symptoms and is a method that your psychologist can teach you during your sessions.

Treatment of OCD involves exposure therapy and cognitive therapy. Exposure treatment is where you will be encouraged to confront your obsessions without having to resort to compulsive behaviours.

At the beginning of your therapy you will be asked to list all your obsessions and compulsions and then rate them from h3est to weakest. Your psychologist will then work through those symptoms from weakest to h3est until you overcome them. Sometimes your therapy may include confronting your fears, but each session is unique to the individual.

OCD therapy might also involve:

• Assessment and tracking of your OCD symptoms
• Relaxation techniques or mindfulness
• Thought-stopping techniques
• Recognising and correcting unhelpful thinking patterns or beliefs
• Developing alternative management strategies
• During therapy you will be encouraged to complete a range of self-help reading and activities.

Why Choose A resolution Applecross?

Heidi Smith the Principal Psychologist and practice manager is passionate about helping people with OCD, Heidi encourages her team to stay on top of their OCD treatment methods, so they can be best placed to help clients with this type of anxiety.

Poonam Patel is a Senior Psychologist at A resolution Applecross who also has a high level of experience with treating a range of anxiety disorders. Poonam Patel is very thorough in her approach to helping people with OCD.