Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness in which patients obsess over parts of life that others donβt think twice about. OCD is also a type of anxiety disorder, so patients often feel nervous about the things they obsess over. OCD can cause people to have outsized fears of germs, feel compelled to repeat small tasks, or develop tics. Obsessions in people with OCD keep them from living their normal lives. It is estimated that around 2% of the population struggle with OCD and the condition is slightly more common in women than men. However, this gender difference may be due to the fact that women are more likely to seek help and support for their OCD than men, meaning that they receive an accurate diagnosis and timely OCD treatment.
Symptoms of OCD
- Constant, irrational worry about dirt, germs, or contamination
- Excessive concern with order, arrangement, or symmetry
- Fear that negative or aggressive thoughts or impulses will cause personal harm or harm to a loved one
- Preoccupation with losing or throwing away objects with little or no value
- Excessive concern about accidentally or purposefully injuring another person
- Feeling overly responsible for the safety of others
- Distasteful religious and sexual thoughts or images
- Cleaning β Repeatedly washing hands, bathing, or cleaning household items, often for hours at a time
- Checking β Checking and re-checking several to hundreds of times a day that the doors are locked, the stove is turned off, etc.
- Repeating β Inability to stop repeating a name, phrase, or simple activity (such as going through a doorway over and over)
- Hoarding β Difficulty throwing away useless items such as old newspapers or magazines, bottle caps, or rubber bands
- Touching and arranging β Repeatedly touching a specific place or arranging objects in a particular pattern
- Mental rituals β Endless reviewing of conversations, counting;
Online Treatment for OCD
People find it very difficult to ask for help and sometimes takes years to do so. There are many types of psychological treatment that are helpful in OCD. Exposure and Response Prevention, CBT, Mindfulness are some of the treatments used, medication is also helpful to correct the chemical imbalance in the brain. Most people need a combination of medication and psychological treatment, to help them to get better. It is very important to have a comprehensive assessment done by an expert, so that the treatment is tailored to your needs.
We understand that the symptoms of OCD can be distressing and confusing. As such, our world class team of specialist psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and other highly qualified mental health professionals are committed to providing comprehensive and personalised OCD treatment online. We are dedicated to enabling you to address the causes and underlying triggers for your irrational thoughts and behaviours, improve your symptoms and regain control of your life. Our exceptional treatment team have a wealth of clinical experience in treating OCD, and are able to deliver a wide range of established therapeutic interventions to help you to overcome your OCD and return to the healthy, fulfilling and productive life that you deserve.
There is help and treatment online for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), find out how we can help you to break this cycle.