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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.

Tree Roots

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

  • brain differences – areas of unusually high activity or low levels of serotonin

  • life events – experience of bullying, abuse,  neglect,  childbirth or loss.

  • personality – neat, meticulous, methodical people

  • 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

  • emotions – causing a feeling of intense anxiety or distress

  • 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:

  • fear of deliberately harming yourself or others

  • fear of harming yourself or others by mistake

  • fear of contamination by disease, infection or an unpleasant substance

  • 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:

  • cleaning and hand washing

  • checking – doors are locked or that the gas is off etc.

  • counting

  • ordering and arranging

  • hoarding

  • asking for reassurance

  • repeating words in their head

  • thinking "neutralising" thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts

  • 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

An image of Sue Wimpenny the owner of The Willows Hypnotherapy.
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