Understanding OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a disorder in which a person experiences recurrent or persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are unwanted or intrusive in nature, or obsessions. To manage said obsessions, a person with OCD may feel compelled to conduct behaviors or mental acts to alleviate their distress. OCD may be more common than you think- about 1.2% of individuals in America are diagnosed with OCD, 25% of which start by 14 years old.
OCD can be viewed on a spectrum, as it varies person to person. Not everyone’s level of functioning is impacted in the same way. No one has the exact same list of triggers. The themes within individuals’ obsessions and compulsions may differ. Common themes do include contamination obsessions and cleaning compulsions, symmetry obsessions and repetitive compulsions, intrusive taboo thoughts, and intrusive thoughts regarding harming oneself or others. It is also common for individuals to manage their OCD by avoiding triggering situations.
So, what’s the best course of action for treating OCD? Both psychotherapy and medication are two ways to manage symptoms of OCD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) are the two most recognized therapeutic modalities for addressing OCD. CBT examines the connection between the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Challenging those maladaptive thoughts and behaviors can lead to positive change. ERP is a form of CBT in which the individual gradually increases their exposure to their triggers and learns how to manage the scenario without performing their compulsions. The goal of ERP is to increase the distress tolerance to the trigger, ultimately lessening the individual’s urge to complete a compulsion. Regarding medications, SSRIs are commonly prescribed for symptom management, though these are prescribed through psychiatrists.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
https://www.centerforanxietyandocd.com/how-we-treat-1#:~:text=CBT%2C%20more%20specifically%2C%20Exposure%20and,OCD)%2C%20and%20related%20concerns.
Leslie is a therapist at Marigold Counseling. Click here to learn more and work with Leslie!
