Are you struggling with recurring and unwanted thoughts?
Are you experiencing strained relationships at home or work because of intrusive and repetitive thoughts? Do you struggle with racing thoughts that keep you up at night? You may have tried everything you can think of and still your thoughts circle over and over in your head. You may get temporary relief by engaging in a behavior that may quiet them for a time. Yet, they always come back – Loud and demanding your attention. Perhaps you find yourself driven to perform certain actions in order to feel a sense of relief. Maybe it feels as if there is a pressure or itch somewhere that can only be relieved by performing a certain action. Most people have heard the term OCD, but not many people really have a grasp of what you struggle with on a daily basis.
You may be experiencing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
This disorder can induce feelings of panic, anxiety, and depression as individuals struggle to gain a sense of control over their lives. Experts estimate that approximately 1% of the population, or 2 to 3 million adults, have OCD. Some people find themselves only experiencing intrusive thoughts. Others experience both repetitive thoughts and the compulsion to engage in certain behaviors. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder presents itself in many different forms, but the basis is usually the same – anxiety and pain. It may feel that your world is spinning out of control and you are doing your best to keep it together. OCD tends to attack the areas of life which you value most. It affects your relationships with your children, your partners, and your friendships. It affects health, sleep, and religious beliefs, among others. It can be very painful and frightening to live with OCD.
There is hope.
OCD is an extremely treatable condition. Our practice specializes in working with clients who struggle with this disorder. We help you build the skills to begin to expose yourself to the obsessive thoughts without having to act on the compulsive behaviors. Through Exposure Response Therapy, we work with you on confronting your intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, while learning the skills to resist them. Over time the obsessive thoughts begin to fade. We also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (perhaps link another article here on CBT) to help you understand which thoughts are not helpful (or even true) and how to begin to replace them with thoughts that are. In short, we target and diminish your obsessive and compulsive symptoms. As therapists who understand how to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, we will help you build the strength to tackle your obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions until they become manageable or fade away entirely. We have been described as warm, non-judgmental and direct. We have worked with many clients to successfully target and relive their OCD symptoms and can do the same for you.
If you are ready to experience what therapy can do for you, contact us today for a free 10 minute phone consultation to learn more.