OCD Treatment in London
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can come in many forms. Some people worry that they may burn their house down if they don't check their oven repeatedly, others are compelled to do things following a certain sequence of numbers. It is also not uncommon for individuals to worry that they are pedophiles or that a loved one will die if they don't engage in certain behaviours.
Although OCD can present itself in many ways, a common underlying mechanism nearly always applied. Most sufferers of OCD have obsessions which are often understood to be thoughts and / or urges. Obsessions often act as motivators for unhelpful behaviours such as avoidance or control behaviours, compulsions and other types of reinforcing behaviours. For example, if someone believes that shaking someone's hand will cause dangerous germs to spread, the resulting preoccupations may make them wash their hands extensively. |
Unfortunately many behaviours resulting from obsessions can maintain unhelpful beliefs concerning the validity of a sufferer's obsessions. So the more a person washes their hands, the more likely it is that these types of consequential behaviours will occur again. It is therefore very important to address unhelpful behaviours such as compulsions. One of the most important ways of doing so is by engaging in exposure and response prevention (ERP). This means that we will look at exposing you to the triggers of your obsessions and the obsessions themselves (such as a dirty carpet or a school in order to triggers concerns of being a paedophile), whilst getting you to delay, alter, stop or lessen your compulsions and other types problematic behaviours. This is very challenging for a lot of people. Having an experienced professional present when engaging in ERP can therefore greatly increase treatment effectiveness. If someone for example pushes themselves too much, they can take a major step backwards by overcompensating through control behaviours. I therefore offer a tailored treatment programme in which I confront the triggers with clients together, whilst offering support in altering unhelpful behaviours (compulsions, safety behaviours).
Many individuals suffering from OCD present with common themes which may relate to and fuel their OCD. Some individuals for example try to complete everything they do in a perfect manner and feel great distress when this can't be achieved. Other's believe that they have to avoid conflict, or emphasise excessive control of their thoughts and behaviours. Whilst others people please constantly in order to avoid fears of rejection. Such themes often feed and in turn increase low self-esteem. As low self-esteem and anxiety can be a driving force for OCD, I may also use a custom made approach that aims at increasing your self-esteem and other reinforcing concerns.
Throughout the course of therapy, there may be many other things which will be covered, as I will tailor a treatment programme towards you. What we cover will differ depending on your specific problem presentation. The goal will always be to keep things as simple as possible, whilst aiming for a maximum benefit. This is in order for you to be able to habitually engage in suitable methods. When you don't have to think about what to do, it is likely that CBT will have a lasting benefit.
Many individuals suffering from OCD present with common themes which may relate to and fuel their OCD. Some individuals for example try to complete everything they do in a perfect manner and feel great distress when this can't be achieved. Other's believe that they have to avoid conflict, or emphasise excessive control of their thoughts and behaviours. Whilst others people please constantly in order to avoid fears of rejection. Such themes often feed and in turn increase low self-esteem. As low self-esteem and anxiety can be a driving force for OCD, I may also use a custom made approach that aims at increasing your self-esteem and other reinforcing concerns.
Throughout the course of therapy, there may be many other things which will be covered, as I will tailor a treatment programme towards you. What we cover will differ depending on your specific problem presentation. The goal will always be to keep things as simple as possible, whilst aiming for a maximum benefit. This is in order for you to be able to habitually engage in suitable methods. When you don't have to think about what to do, it is likely that CBT will have a lasting benefit.