Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, involves having obsessive thinking patterns that can include unwanted thoughts, images or urges that make a person feel anxious or distressed.

Individuals who have OCD often have significant difficulty pushing away or ignoring these thoughts. Those with OCD also have compulsive behaviors which are an attempt to reverse the obsessive thoughts or urges by performing some sort of action.

Common signs, according to the Mayo Clinic, of OCD are:

• Intrusive thoughts
• Constant checking
• Constant counting
• The repeated cleaning of one or more items
• Constantly checking the stove or door locks
• Fear of contamination
• Hoarding
• Thoughts that you might be harmed
• Thoughts that you might cause others harm

If one or more of the above symptoms resonates with you, I encourage you to look into OCD therapy today. Research shows that the most effective treatments for OCD treatment is Exposure and Response prevention (ERP) and/or medication.
The process of ERP will work on exposing you to situations that trigger your obsessions and the uncomfortable feelings while preventing you from performing the rituals that seemingly give you the temporary relief. Along with the support of your therapist you will begin to get use to the feelings of discomfort that you have been trying to avoid with your rituals. Through a process called habituation.

As a licensed mental health professional, I have extensive training in helping patients overcome and grow from their OCD. And together, we’ll create a strategy that works explicitly for you. Contact Minds at Peace Therapy LLC today for a free consultation.