Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an Anxiety Disorder where a person experiences frequent and often distressing intrusive thoughts, typically around fears of contamination or harm to others. These thoughts drive the person to carry out certain behaviours (often in a specific order or repetitive / ritualistic manor) in order to reduce the distress experienced by the thoughts.
OCD can be incredibly time consuming and limit the person’s quality of life due to the nature of the thoughts and behaviours required to manage these. There are often links with Depression and OCD.
Key Symptoms
- Increased heart rate
- Stomach churning
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Increase in body temperature
- Shortness of breath
- Increased need to urinate
- IBS symptoms
- Shaking
- Wobbly legs
- Dry mouth
- Compulsive / repetitive behaviours
- Intrusive thoughts
- Avoidance of certain places / people
- Repeated washing or cleaning
- A sense that things aren’t ‘right’
- Fears that something bad will happen if the rituals / compulsions are stopped
Treatment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Re-processing (EMDR)
Contact us to book an assessment and discuss treatment options.