OCD Therapy Across The UK
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more than just worrying about cleanliness or orderliness - it's a serious mental health condition that can significantly impact daily life. People with OCD may struggle to access help due to social stigma or the societal downplaying of OCD as a disorder, but it is important to recognise that it is a real, life-limiting disorder that requires professional help.
If you’re struggling with OCD, forms of CBT such as ERP can be especially helpful treatments in improving your quality of life and regaining control over your intrusive thoughts in a healthy, productive way. At Resilient Mind Therapies, I offer tailored treatment for people with OCD, either face-to-face in Leicester, including: Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Countesthorpe, Lutterworth, Broughton Astley, Market Harborough, or online anywhere in the UK.
What is OCD?
OCD is a mental health condition characterised by two main components: obsessions and compulsions. The pattern of obsessions and compulsions can be hard to break and become actively detrimental to your wellbeing and daily life, which is part of what makes it a disorder.
Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause intense anxiety or distress. These thoughts can feel uncontrollable and often focus on fears about contamination, harm, or moral violations. These are called intrusive thoughts.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed in an attempt to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. These actions may provide temporary relief, but they often become ritualistic and interfere with daily functioning. Common compulsions include excessive cleaning, checking, counting, or seeking reassurance.
People with OCD often feel trapped in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions that can be difficult to break without help. It’s important to understand that OCD is not simply a personality quirk - it's a disorder that requires compassionate and evidence-based treatment.
Signs and Types of OCD
OCD can vary in symptom type and severity, and there are many different ‘types’ of OCD, though these ‘types’ are not separate diagnoses, as OCD can attach to anything. The common thread between these types is the obsession and compulsion, which can manifest in a number of different ways:
• Going out of your way to avoid certain triggers, like shaking hands or being around a lot of people.
• Distressing, intrusive thoughts
• Excessive time taking part in ritualistic behaviours
Common themes of OCD include:
· Harming someone/Harming yourself/Violence
· Acts of a sexual nature that are improper or harmful (such as molestation or incest)
· Contamination
· Identity
· The future
· Relationships
How OCD Affects Daily Life
OCD can have a profound impact on various aspects of daily life, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming. The constant mental battle with obsessive thoughts and the need to perform compulsions can consume a lot of time and energy, leaving you feeling exhausted and frustrated. Thoughts can trigger intense distress and anxiety. These feelings are often compounded by confusion and a lack of understanding about why they occur.
Relationships:
OCD can strain relationships with loved ones, as compulsive behaviours might seem confusing or frustrating to others. You may feel the need to involve others in your rituals or avoid social situations altogether to manage your anxiety.
Work or School:
At work or school, OCD can hinder concentration and productivity. Repetitive behaviours or the need to perform rituals can make it difficult to focus on tasks, meet deadlines, or feel comfortable in the environment.
Physical and Emotional Well-being:
The ongoing anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts and the stress of compulsions can take a toll on both your physical and emotional well-being. OCD often coexists with other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, further complicating your overall health.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety in OCD
Anxiety is a key component of OCD, and it can lead to a range of physical symptoms. These symptoms often result from the body’s response to stress and can be as distressing as the obsessive thoughts themselves. Common physical symptoms of anxiety associated with OCD include:
• Increased heart rate: Anxiety triggers the "fight or flight" response, causing your heart to beat faster.
• Sweating: You might experience sweating, particularly in stressful situations.
• Muscle tension: Anxiety can lead to muscle tension, especially in the neck, shoulders, and jaw, which can cause pain and discomfort.
• Shortness of breath: Many people with anxiety experience shallow breathing or a feeling of tightness in the chest.
• Digestive issues: Anxiety can upset your digestive system, leading to nausea, stomach aches, or changes in bowel habits.
• Headaches: The constant stress and tension can contribute to frequent headaches or migraines.
• Fatigue: Coping with persistent anxiety and compulsive behaviours can be draining, leaving you feeling physically and mentally exhausted.
Recognising these physical symptoms is an important step in managing OCD. When left untreated, the cycle of obsessions, compulsions, and anxiety can continue to escalate, affecting your overall health.
How We Can Help with OCD?
CBT helps you break the cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours by challenging unhelpful thinking patterns and developing healthier coping strategies. One specific form of CBT that is particularly effective for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
ERP involves gradually exposing you to the situations that trigger your obsessions while helping you resist the urge to perform compulsions. Over time, this reduces your anxiety and weakens the compulsion, allowing you to regain control of your thoughts and actions.
At Resilient Mind Therapies I offer personalised treatment for OCD, either face-to-face in Leicestershire or through online sessions. You don’t have to manage OCD alone - support is available, and long term recovery is possible.
