Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Affecting men, women and children, people can start experiencing from as early as 6 years old, but more often it will start around puberty or early adulthood.
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OCD can be distressing and significantly interfere with your life, but treatment can help you keep it under control.
Average number of sessions: 10 - 18.
If you wish to book an initial consultation at a time to suit you and receive answers to any questions you may have, click on the link above. Alternatively fill out the Enquiry Form and I can give you a call back to discuss this in more detail
It's not clear what causes OCD & research is ongoing however there are some factors which may play a part, including:
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family history – a learned behaviour or genes
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brain differences – areas of unusually high activity or low levels of serotonin
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life events – experience of bullying, abuse, neglect, childbirth or loss.
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personality – neat, meticulous, methodical people
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psychological - high anxiety
OCD affects people differently but has 3 main elements:
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obsessions – an unwanted, intrusive & often distressing thought, image or urge repeatedly enters the mind
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emotions – causing a feeling of intense anxiety or distress
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compulsions – repetitive behaviours or mental acts a person feels driven to perform as a result of the anxiety and distress caused by the obsession
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Compulsive behaviours temporarily relieves the anxiety, but the obsession & anxiety return, creating a cycle. Most people experience obsessive thoughts & compulsions, but one may be less obvious than the other.
Thoughts & Behaviours Symptoms
Obsessive thoughts
If you have a persistent, unpleasant thoughts which dominate to the extent it interrupts other thoughts, you may have an obsession.
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Some common obsessions that affect people with OCD include:
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fear of deliberately harming yourself or others
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fear of harming yourself or others by mistake
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fear of contamination by disease, infection or an unpleasant substance
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a need for symmetry or orderliness
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Also some have thoughts of a violent or sexual nature that are repulsive or frightening but they are just thoughts. Having them does not mean you'll act on them & are only classed as OCD if they cause you distress or have an impact on your quality of life.
Compulsive behaviour
Compulsions are a way of reducing/prevent anxiety caused by the obsessive thought. Most people know their compulsive behaviour is irrational but are unable to stop. Compulsive behaviours include:
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cleaning and hand washing
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checking – doors are locked or that the gas is off etc.
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counting
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ordering and arranging
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hoarding
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asking for reassurance
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repeating words in their head
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thinking "neutralising" thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts
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avoiding places/situations that could trigger obsessive thoughts​
Please contact a medical health professional for an official diagnosis. These symptoms are for guidance only from the NHS website.
With Solution Focused Hypnotherapy I will provide support, knowledge & tools to help manage & alleviate the symptoms of OCD.
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By using a combination of psychotherapy techniques and trance I facilitate the process of managing the symptoms & compulsive behaviour. We talk about the neuroscience & I explain how the brain works, why & how OCD is created in your instance and what we can do about. My clients find the solutions they need to as we work together & they find their way to being who they want to be; thinking more clearly & rationally
