OCD usually begins in adolescence or early
adulthood, OCD causes feelings of extreme panic, fear, and guilt
and compels the sufferer to perform certain actions. When left
untreated, OCD can reach frightening levels, impacting on a person's
relationships, home life, and career. If you are suffering from
OCD, it is important to know that you are not alone. Performing
rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing
them can cause significant anxiety or distress and can interfere
with a child's normal routine, academic functioning, social activities,
or relationships.
Psychotherapy focuses on changing thought
patterns by altering behavior. The client will be gradually exposed
to the obsession which causes fear and told not to engage in compulsive
behaviour. With increased exposure, the patient will experience
less and less anxiety as she realizes that nothing bad is happening.
After ongoing treatment, 50% to 80% of clients cease all compulsive
behaviour.
Psychotherapy attempts to stop the emotions
associated with the thoughts one has when suffering from OCD.
The individual may still have to close the door and think about
if you locked it but you will not have the urge to check it because
you know you did. The therapist will expose you to the fear or
anxiety producing stimulus and prevent you from completing the
compulsive behaviour. Over time, your irrational thinking about
the stimulus will subside. You will confidently face the stimulus
without feeling as if something horrible will happen if you do
not complete your specific compulsion.
Many people can take the skills they learn
and use them in the future to successfully keep obsessive thoughts
and compulsions away.
To book your free initial
consultation Click here - Toronto Psychotherapist
|
