Obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD is a chronic disorder where a person has reoccurring and uncontrollable behaviors and thoughts whereby he or she feels the urge to do the same things repeatedly. Most people suffering from OCD repeat things over and over again to manage their anxiety. A lot of people who suffer from OCD know that their actions and thoughts are not rational, but they are unable to do anything about it. This is because their brains are accustomed to doing things repeatedly, and it is difficult to change this thought pattern. Most people who have OCD have some ritualistic tendencies. These tendencies give them short-term relief. When OCD is at a severe point, one is usually unable to partake in their daily tasks, thereby affecting the way they lead their lives. OCD is usually accompanied by several mental health issues such as eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. Some of the common symptoms of OCD are fear of germs, aggressive thoughts towards both self and others, having things in a symmetrical pattern, compulsive counting, excessive cleaning and or handwashing, and repeatedly checking on things such as if the doors and windows are locked at night.
There are many treatments and self-help strategies that can help you deal with OCD. Finding an OCD therapist is vital to finding a treatment modality that will help you deal with your OCD. You need to ensure that you choose the right therapist if you want fast and good results. This means that you need to find an OCD counselor who has had training and experience diagnosing and treating OCD either with psychotherapy, medication, or a blend of both. The right OCD therapist will most likely prescribe some medication after your initial session to help you deal with your OCD as you undergo further treatment.
Psychotherapy is a vital aspect of OCD counseling. It helps minimize the impacts of OCD on a person’s daily life. There are two main forms of psychotherapy in OCD counseling. Firstly, we have cognitive-behavioral therapy. CBT helps in the identification of obsessive thoughts that may cause feelings of anxiety. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, your OCD counselor will help you replace the obsessive thoughts with more realistic ones. Working with a professional is key to getting results with this form of treatment. Exposure therapy is also a form of OCD treatment. This involves allowing the patient to confront their fears in a controlled and safe environment. This form of treatment will help desensitize you to situations that may trigger your anxiety. Most OCD therapists use a combination of both cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy to get optimal results.
The first step to dealing with your OCD is finding a good therapist to guide you through the process. Look up OCD therapists in your area and start looking into them individually. Find a therapist who has a lot of positive reviews. The reviews can either be from people you know or from online sources. You should also look into the background of an OCD therapist before you choose them to ensure that they do not have malpractice suits against them.