OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily life. OCD was formerly classified as an anxiety disorder because people affected by this mental illness often experience severe anxiety as a result of obsessive thoughts. They may also engage in extensive rituals in an attempt to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions.

Obsessions – these are repeated, intrusive, unwanted thoughts, worries, urges, images which can create feelings of discomfort at one end of the scale to intense anxiety at the other end.

Compulsions – these are repetitive actions or rituals which are carried out in order to reduce the anxiety. Common activities can include frequent hand washing, checking doors are locked, light switches turned off, repetition of a specific phrase, checking how you are feeling.

The compulsion can be very time consuming and can have a very debilitating effect on life, relationships, work and health.

How can Hypnotherapy help treat OCD

At the root of obsessions leading to one’s compulsions are negative thought patterns. These negative thought patterns started to occur because of perceptions which were misrepresented or misperceived during intense periods of stress.

From that, individuals created and got ‘hooked’ on negative thought patterns that became obsessive…their obsessions!

Obsessions are seeded in the unconscious mind. Because the behavior is rooted in the unconscious then just understanding the triggers in OCD doesn’t change the behavior. So, the behaviors get played out over and over, leaving the patient trapped in this miserable cycle.

Hypnotherapy can help release, delete and replace negative thought patterns in the unconscious mind.
Once these patterns of negative thoughts are modified and/or deleted, then the obsessions can stop.

There are different techniques hypnotherapists use to help with OCD and one involves regression therapy. In this an attempt is made to take the patient back to the event that triggered the original obsession. So, if the patient is forever washing their hands for fear of germs or contamination, then the therapist attempts to take the patient back to the original event where the hands got dirty and created the obsession.

Once the original event is found, then, simply put, the work is focused on removing the feeling it triggers from that event.

Hypnotherapy not only deals with the OCD symptoms in the now but delves into your past to find the route cause of the OCD. By treating the route cause as well as the symptoms we are working to alleviate the OCD at its deepest level.

However, regression therapy doesn’t work for everybody. If we can not find the route cause we have many options to help treat OCD.

Symptoms

Symptoms of OCD usually appear gradually and can be long-lasting if not treated. People with OCD may experience symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Such symptoms interfere with many areas of life including school, work, relationships, and normal daily functioning.

Obsessions

Obsessions are thoughts, images, or ideas that won’t go away, are unwanted, and are extremely distressing or worrying (“What if I become infected with a deadly disease?” or “What if I hurt someone?”).

Some common symptoms of obsessions include:

Aggressive thoughts about other people or one’s self
A need to have everything in a certain order
Fear of germs
Unwanted thoughts of forbidden or taboo topics such as sex, religion, or harming others

Compulsions

Compulsions are behaviors that have to be done over and over again to relieve anxiety. Compulsions are often related to obsessions. For example, if you are obsessed with being contaminated, you might feel compelled to wash your hands repeatedly. However, this is not always the case.

Some common compulsions include:

Excessive washing or cleaning
Counting things over and over
Ordering things in a particular or symmetrical way
Repeated checking (such as checking that the door is locked or that the oven is off

Causes

The exact causes of OCD are not known, but there are a few factors that are believed to play a role.

Biological factors: One theory is that OCD comes from a breakdown in the circuit in the brain that filters or “censors” the many thoughts, ideas, and impulses that we have each day. If you have OCD, your brain may have difficulty deciding which thoughts and impulses to turn off. As a result, you may experience obsessions and/or compulsions. The breakdown of this system may be related to serotonin abnormalities.3
Family history: You may also be at greater risk if there is a family history of the disorder. Research has shown that if you, a parent, or a sibling have OCD, there is a 25% chance that another immediate family member will also have it.4
Genetics: Although a single “OCD gene” has not been identified, OCD may be related to particular groups of genes.
Stress: Stress from unemployment, relationship difficulties, problems at school, illness, or childbirth can be strong triggers for symptoms of OCD.

People who are vulnerable to OCD describe a strong need to control their thoughts and a belief that strange or unusual thoughts mean they are going crazy or will lose control. While many people can have strange or unusual thoughts when feeling stressed, if you are vulnerable to OCD, it may be difficult to ignore or forget about these thoughts. In fact, because these thoughts seem so dangerous, you end up paying even more attention to them, which sets up a vicious cycle.

Types

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can present in a few different ways. Some people experience only obsessions, some only compulsions, while others experience both. There are no official subtypes of OCD, but research suggests that the most common obsessions and compulsions tend to center on:

Cleanliness or fear of contamination
A need for order, symmetry, or perfection
Taboo thoughts
Collecting or hoarding

Some other types of OCD that people may experience include symptoms that center on checking things repeatedly, counting certain objects, and ruminating on certain thoughts or topics.

Coping

OCD is a chronic, long-lasting condition that may worsen with time, so it is important to get professional treatment. In addition to talking to your doctor or mental health professional, there are also a number of self-help strategies that you can use to help manage your symptoms:

Practice good self-care strategies that will help you cope with stress. Stress can often trigger OCD symptoms, so it is important to rely on effective and healthy coping methods. Research has shown that sleep disturbances are linked to more severe OCD symptoms.6 In addition to sleep, regular physical exercise and a healthy diet are lifestyle choices you can make that will make it easier to manage the stress and worries that life throws at you.
Try relaxation techniques. Add some effective tools such as meditation, deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation to your relaxation rituals.
Find support. Consider joining a support group such as the International OCD Foundation’s online support group. Such groups can be helpful to talk to people who have had the same experiences as you. Social support is important for mental well-being, and support groups can be a helpful resource.