OCD is an anxiety disorder in which the person experiences either obsessions or compulsions, but often both. Recent studies estimate that between 1 and 3 % of the population experience OCD. As with many other mental health conditions, OCD often develops during adolescence and any individual who has experienced OCD before is more likely to experience it again during periods of high stress or change, such as exams, starting university or becoming a parent. We also know that if you who has have experienced OCD before you are more likely to experience OCD again during periods of high stress or change, such as exams, starting university or becoming a parent.
An obsession is an unwanted thought, image or urge that the person experiences repeatedly.
In OCD, they are often experienced as being outside of the person’s control and cause distress, as the content of the obsessions tends to be at odds with someone’s moral compass and values.
Some of the most common obsessions to experience include having a thought such as ‘what if I just drove my car off the side of the road’ or an image of something bad such as an injury or an accident happening to a loved one or an urge to shout out something rude on inappropriate during a work meeting’.
In OCD, when someone experiences an obsession they often, understandably, feel driven to try and get rid of the distress caused by the obsession and to try and prevent the content of the obsession from happening. This can lead to the development of compulsions.
Compulsions are behaviors or mental actions that the person completes, often regularly and repeatedly, in response to the obsessions they experience.
Some compulsions are overt and can be seen by others, such as repeatedly checking whether they have locked a door or a covert mental action such as counting to a certain number in their mind.
OCD is a complex and often distressing condition that can be difficult to manage without professional support. At Sage, we offer a range of evidence-based OCD services to help people with OCD overcome their symptoms and lead a better life. Our OCD services are designed to provide comprehensive support for individuals with OCD, their families, and their caregivers.
You might benefit from Sage Clinic’s OCD services if you:
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Tom, a 35-year-old real estate agent, sought help at Sage Clinics for his struggles with OCD. For years, Tom had been plagued by intrusive thoughts about germs and contamination, which led to compulsive cleaning rituals and avoidance behaviors that significantly interfered with his daily life, especially at work in a shared office.
During the initial assessment it became clear that Tom’s symptoms of contamination OCD included an intense fear of germs and illness, particularly related to touching dirty surfaces or objects. He felt compelled to wash his hands repeatedly throughout the day, often using excessive amounts of soap and water. Tom avoided touching doorknobs, handrails, and other commonly touched surfaces, fearing that they were contaminated with harmful bacteria. In addition to handwashing rituals, Tom engaged in compulsive cleaning behaviors, such as disinfecting surfaces in his home multiple times a day and avoiding public spaces where he perceived a high risk of contamination. His fear of germs extended to everyday objects such as money, shopping carts, and electronic devices, leading him to avoid or sanitize these items compulsively.
Tom's treatment at Sage Clinics focused on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specialized form of therapy for OCD that involves gradually exposing oneself to feared situations or triggers while refraining from engaging in compulsive behaviors. The goal of ERP is to help individuals learn to tolerate anxiety and uncertainty without resorting to compulsive rituals.
During his ERP therapy sessions, Tom worked closely with his therapist to identify specific triggers and situations that provoked his contamination fears. Together, they developed a hierarchy of exposure exercises, starting with less anxiety-provoking scenarios and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. For example, Tom began by touching doorknobs and other objects he considered "contaminated" without immediately washing his hands. Through repeated exposures and practicing response prevention techniques, such as delaying handwashing or using less soap, Tom learned to tolerate the discomfort and anxiety triggered by these situations without giving in to compulsions.
As Tom progressed through his ERP therapy, he noticed significant improvements in his ability to manage his contamination fears and resist the urge to engage in compulsive cleaning and avoidance behaviors. He gained confidence in his ability to cope with uncertainty and developed healthier ways of responding to his intrusive thoughts. Tom, a 35-year-old real estate agent, sought help at Sage Clinics for his struggles with OCD. For years, Tom had been plagued by intrusive thoughts about germs and contamination, which led to compulsive cleaning rituals and avoidance behaviors that significantly interfered with his daily life, especially at work in a shared office.
During the initial assessment it became clear that Tom’s symptoms of contamination OCD included an intense fear of germs and illness, particularly related to touching dirty surfaces or objects. He felt compelled to wash his hands repeatedly throughout the day, often using excessive amounts of soap and water. Tom avoided touching doorknobs, handrails, and other commonly touched surfaces, fearing that they were contaminated with harmful bacteria. In addition to handwashing rituals, Tom engaged in compulsive cleaning behaviors, such as disinfecting surfaces in his home multiple times a day and avoiding public spaces where he perceived a high risk of contamination. His fear of germs extended to everyday objects such as money, shopping carts, and electronic devices, leading him to avoid or sanitize these items compulsively.
Tom's treatment at Sage Clinics focused on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specialized form of therapy for OCD that involves gradually exposing oneself to feared situations or triggers while refraining from engaging in compulsive behaviors. The goal of ERP is to help individuals learn to tolerate anxiety and uncertainty without resorting to compulsive rituals.
During his ERP therapy sessions, Tom worked closely with his therapist to identify specific triggers and situations that provoked his contamination fears. Together, they developed a hierarchy of exposure exercises, starting with less anxiety-provoking scenarios and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. For example, Tom began by touching doorknobs and other objects he considered "contaminated" without immediately washing his hands. Through repeated exposures and practicing response prevention techniques, such as delaying handwashing or using less soap, Tom learned to tolerate the discomfort and anxiety triggered by these situations without giving in to compulsions.
As Tom progressed through his ERP therapy, he noticed significant improvements in his ability to manage his contamination fears and resist the urge to engage in compulsive cleaning and avoidance behaviors. He gained confidence in his ability to cope with uncertainty and developed healthier ways of responding to his intrusive thoughts.
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