OCD THERAPY

What is obsessive compulsive disorder?

Obsessive compulsive disorder is often misunderstood and misrepresented - it isn’t just about symmetry and cleanliness. An individual has OCD when they get caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions are intrusive thoughts or images that get “stuck” and are often disturbing, distressing, disgusting, or out of character. These thoughts can be about a wide variety of topics (see “Common Obsessions”). Inference-based therapy would conceptualize obsessions as obsessional doubts that are arrived at due to a faulty reasoning process, that can feel real. These doubts might include thoughts like "What if I'm a bad person? What if I forgot to lock the door? What if I cause something bad to happen?"

Individuals engage in compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors or mental acts aimed at neutralizing or counteracting the obsession or fear. Compulsions do not have to be visible – they might just be happening in your head. Individuals may start to avoid situations that trigger their OCD.