Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with OCD experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses that are difficult to ignore, may be highly distressing, and tend to come back repeatedly despite efforts to get rid of them or neutralize them. These thoughts, images, or impulses are referred to as obsessions. In addition, OCD involves repeated behaviors or routines (referred to as compulsions or rituals), which are performed to try to reduce the anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts. OCD may look slightly different for each person, and many people have combinations of different types of OCD symptoms, such as checking, counting, or hand washing. Click here (https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/) for more information about OCD symptoms.
Most adults with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions do not entirely make sense, but nevertheless have difficulty controlling them. For many individuals with OCD, compulsive routines become so lengthy that daily activities and tasks take much longer than before. Many people begin to avoid certain activities entirely because the prospect of completing the associated compulsions is too overwhelming. Untreated OCD can interfere significantly in many areas of life, including family and social relationships, ability to function at work or school, and ability to concentrate on routine activities.
Treatment for OCD involves a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP; sometimes called Exposure and Ritual Prevention), which has been supported by extensive research. The therapist works with the client to identify treatment goals and to gradually confront feared situations and reduce compulsive behaviors in a supportive and collaborative environment. Completion of between-session homework assignments, which are jointly designed by the client and the therapist, is crucial for the success of treatment.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
ERP is a type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy that has been widely validated for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD often develop rigid routines or habits, called compulsions, in order to calm themselves in response to distressing thoughts or images. Although compulsions do decrease anxiety in the short term, unfortunately, they can become very rigid and substantially interfere with people's lives. Another unfortunate effect of compulsions is that they reinforce anxiety in the long term, thus creating a vicious cycle of anxiety.
In Exposure and Response Prevention, therapists help clients practice tolerating the anxiety-provoking thoughts or images gradually, while resisting the urge to do compulsive behaviors. Over time, the thoughts and images become less distressing and people are able to enjoy their days substantially more when they do not feel compelled to perform rigid routines throughout their days. Although ERP can initially sound intimidating to clients, many people experience significant reductions in OCD symptoms and it is considered a gold standard for OCD treatment.
People with OCD experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses that are difficult to ignore, may be highly distressing, and tend to come back repeatedly despite efforts to get rid of them or neutralize them. These thoughts, images, or impulses are referred to as obsessions. In addition, OCD involves repeated behaviors or routines (referred to as compulsions or rituals), which are performed to try to reduce the anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts. OCD may look slightly different for each person, and many people have combinations of different types of OCD symptoms, such as checking, counting, or hand washing. Click here (https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/) for more information about OCD symptoms.
Most adults with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions do not entirely make sense, but nevertheless have difficulty controlling them. For many individuals with OCD, compulsive routines become so lengthy that daily activities and tasks take much longer than before. Many people begin to avoid certain activities entirely because the prospect of completing the associated compulsions is too overwhelming. Untreated OCD can interfere significantly in many areas of life, including family and social relationships, ability to function at work or school, and ability to concentrate on routine activities.
Treatment for OCD involves a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP; sometimes called Exposure and Ritual Prevention), which has been supported by extensive research. The therapist works with the client to identify treatment goals and to gradually confront feared situations and reduce compulsive behaviors in a supportive and collaborative environment. Completion of between-session homework assignments, which are jointly designed by the client and the therapist, is crucial for the success of treatment.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
ERP is a type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy that has been widely validated for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). People with OCD often develop rigid routines or habits, called compulsions, in order to calm themselves in response to distressing thoughts or images. Although compulsions do decrease anxiety in the short term, unfortunately, they can become very rigid and substantially interfere with people's lives. Another unfortunate effect of compulsions is that they reinforce anxiety in the long term, thus creating a vicious cycle of anxiety.
In Exposure and Response Prevention, therapists help clients practice tolerating the anxiety-provoking thoughts or images gradually, while resisting the urge to do compulsive behaviors. Over time, the thoughts and images become less distressing and people are able to enjoy their days substantially more when they do not feel compelled to perform rigid routines throughout their days. Although ERP can initially sound intimidating to clients, many people experience significant reductions in OCD symptoms and it is considered a gold standard for OCD treatment.
