OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health problem. It has two main parts that are connected, obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions are unwelcome thoughts, feelings, images, urges, worries or doubts that keep coming into your mind. These obsessions could be based on many different themes, such as your relationship, harm, cleanliness, moral scrupulosity, real events etc. They may feel stuck in your mind, no matter what you do. You may worry what they mean or why they won’t go away, and feel very distressed by them.

Compulsions are repetitive things that you do to reduce the distress or uncertainty caused by obsessions- after all OCD is widely known as the doubting disorder. Compulsions can be things you do physically, mentally or may involve others. Examples of some common compulsions are, checking locks/doors/outlets, researching, confessing, counting, repeating words, ruminating, rationalising, reviewing memories, asking for reassurance etc.

Anyone can experience obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviours at times, however, if you have OCD your doubts and fears about your thoughts or maybe even past memories (in the case of real event OCD) can make that person feel very distressed. The OCD will tell you that the only way you will feel better is if you were to perform these compulsions. OCD can have a major impact on a persons life, whether a person experiences it in episodes or daily.

We can help you. Despite the feeling that your OCD may be inescapable, there are many therapeutic approaches to help manage your OCD, and teach you how to live with uncertainty.

Our Practitioners:

“OCD can feel exhausting and confusing, especially when certain thoughts keep coming back no matter how much you try to push them away. You might find yourself doing things repeatedly to feel “okay” again, even if part of you knows it doesn’t fully help. In our work together, we gently explore these patterns and find ways to respond differently, so the thoughts begin to feel less powerful over time. We go at a pace that feels manageable, helping you build confidence in handling uncertainty, while also using mindfulness techniques to create a bit more space between you and the thoughts.” Kimberly Jano, Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapist >