OCD

   "Oh, it's just my OCD." 

So, you know, there's a general layperson's understand of what obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is.  

But it's more complicated than that.

...If you have intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that seem fearful, or dangerous to you,...If you have impulses that you're worried you might act on...

or if you're worried that something bad is about to happen or has happened, that you may have inadvertently caused, or that you might someday just "snap" and do something harmful. 

AND THEN you do something to make it stop. or go away. or to erase the danger:  "Compulsions" are something that make you feel better or safer in the moment, even if they don't seem to make sense, and they might include:

• covert or mental rituals such as reviewing, praying, reassuring yourself as in the case with "pure O" 

• physical rituals, such as checking, counting, cleansing, repeatedly asking others for reassurance, or "confessing" your thoughts, asking others to confirm that you're okay,

• getting to a "just right" feeling regarding symmetry, or some other need for a "just right" feeling

• worries that you have or will harm someone inadvertently

• thoughts that are so disturbing, you worry what they might mean about you...and so you engage in behaviors to get rid of them, and push them away...only to have them come back.

• avoiding people, places, and events due to thoughts about contamination; going to great lengths to ensure that you aren’t contaminated, or that you don’t contaminate others

and then you feel better, for a little while.  But the thoughts and compulsions are throwing tantrums, demanding attention. Wanting ONE HUNDRED PERCENT CERTAINTY.

If this is your experience, it's possible OCD might be a problem for you. And we can let you know for sure.

ERP, Exposure/response/prevention therapy is the  gold standard  for treating OCD. It’s not easy, and it’s not simple, but as we work together, you’ll become the expert on your treatment, so that you will know how to take care of yourself. 

   
Here's information from the International  OCD Foundation, explaining ER/P.

AND if you have tried ERP and weren't able to do it, there is another rising star in the OCD treatment field called Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Used widely in Europe, this treatment has now migrated to the US. More about this treatment approach can be found here. 

AND DID YOU KNOW: These disorders are closely related to OCD, with similar treatment profiles: Hoarding disorder

Perfectionism

Body-focused repetitive disorder

Body dysmorphic disorder.

And yes, I treat them too.

Here's a bit on OCD by comedian Maria Banford, who has done the keynote speech at IOCDF. 

Be at peace. Together, we can tame the thought monster. 

call or text (HIPAA compliant) 505-501-8293

For further resources, contact IOCDF, of which I am a member.