OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Understanding OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is far more than a preference for tidiness or double-checking the front door. It’s a condition that can trap people in exhausting cycles of intrusive thoughts and ritualised behaviours, consuming hours of each day and causing significant distress.
OCD operates through two interconnected patterns. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that feel deeply disturbing - often involving themes that clash with your values and sense of self. Compulsions are the actions, rituals, or mental processes you feel driven to perform to neutralise the anxiety these thoughts create.
Common Presentations
OCD takes many different forms, and what troubles one person may be entirely different from another’s experience:
Contamination concerns - Intense fears about germs, illness, or contamination leading to washing, cleaning, or avoidance rituals
Checking behaviours - A compelling need to verify things repeatedly - that appliances are off, doors are locked, or that you haven’t caused harm
Intrusive thoughts - Distressing thoughts about harm, violence, or taboo subjects that feel alien to who you are
Symmetry and ordering - A need for things to feel “just right,” with significant distress when they don’t
Mental rituals - Internal processes like counting, reviewing, praying, or repeating phrases to counteract obsessions
The OCD Trap
What makes OCD so persistent is that the compulsions seem to work - in the short term, they reduce anxiety. But this relief reinforces the cycle, teaching your brain that the threat was real and the ritual necessary. Over time, the compulsions often need to become more elaborate or frequent to achieve the same effect.
Evidence-Based Treatment
OCD responds well to specialist psychological treatment. Our Clinical Psychologists offer:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) - The gold-standard treatment for OCD. This involves gradually facing feared situations while learning to tolerate the discomfort without performing compulsions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Helps you develop a different relationship with intrusive thoughts, reducing their power without needing to fight them.
Compassion-Focused Therapy - Particularly helpful when OCD is accompanied by shame and self-criticism, which often intensify the distress.
Moving Forward
Living with OCD can feel isolating, and many people suffer in silence for years before seeking help. If obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours are affecting your quality of life, specialist support can help you break free from these patterns.
Contact us to discuss how we can help.
Related Reading
- OCD Explained: Beyond the Stereotypes - Understanding what OCD really is
- EMDR for OCD: Can It Help When You’re Stuck in Loops? - How EMDR therapy can support OCD treatment
