OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Do unwanted thoughts, images or urges get stuck on repeat? Do you feel like the house needs to look a certain way, the counter has to be clear or the laundry needs to be folded “just right”? Do you worry that things are not good enough, or that something bad is going to happen? These thoughts are obsessions. Seeking reassurance, whether through research or from another person telling you that everything is okay, is the compulsion.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can take up hours of your day and leave you feeling exhausted, ashamed or alone. Compulsions may bring a moment of relief, but they keep the cycle going. OCD is not a personality quirk or a character flaw, and it is not something you have to keep hidden.
Together we will look at what feeds your obsessions and compulsions and how they are affecting your daily life. Using cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness skills, I can help you respond to intrusive thoughts differently, tolerate uncertainty and gradually take back the time and energy OCD has been taking from you.
What OCD can look like
OCD is more than liking things neat or being a worrier. It is a cycle: an intrusive thought or doubt (the obsession) causes intense anxiety, guilt or disgust, and a behavior or mental ritual (the compulsion) is used to make that feeling go away. Common patterns include:
- Fears of germs, contamination or illness, with repeated washing or cleaning
- Doubts about whether the door is locked, the stove is off or a mistake was made, with repeated checking
- Unwanted, upsetting thoughts or images about harming someone, or about religion, morality or relationships
- A need for things to be even, ordered or “just right,” with counting, arranging or repeating
- Mental rituals that no one else can see, such as reviewing, praying, replaying conversations or seeking reassurance
Many people with OCD know their fears do not make sense, which can make the struggle feel even more isolating. Having an intrusive thought does not mean you want it or will act on it.
OCD during pregnancy and after baby
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are common times for OCD to begin or get worse. New parents may have frightening thoughts about something happening to their baby, or about accidentally causing harm, and then avoid being alone with the baby, check on them constantly or seek reassurance over and over. These thoughts are a symptom, not a reflection of who you are as a parent, and they are treatable. As a Maternal Mental Health Provider and Ohio Infant Mental Health Professional, I can help you and your family through this season without judgment.
How we will work together
- Understanding your OCD. We will map out your obsessions, compulsions and avoidance, and how they are affecting your relationships, work and daily routines.
- Changing your relationship with intrusive thoughts. Using cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness skills, you will learn to notice intrusive thoughts without arguing with them, obeying them or needing to be certain.
- Loosening the grip of compulsions. Step by step and at a pace you agree to, we will work on reducing rituals, checking and reassurance-seeking so that the anxiety can rise and fall on its own.
- Art therapy, when it helps. Putting a thought on paper can make it easier to look at, talk about and separate from. No art skill is needed.
- Involving your support system. Loved ones often help with rituals or give reassurance out of kindness. With your permission, we can talk about how they can support you without feeding the cycle.
Some people also benefit from medication alongside therapy. I do not prescribe, but we can talk about whether a referral to a prescriber makes sense for you.
Ready to take the first step?
The fastest way to schedule is to email Wendi@theartofinsightcounseling.com. New clients can also create a profile and see open availability online, or call (614) 482-4800 for a free 15 minute phone consultation.