Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Some may have heard of OCD referred to as “the doubting disease”. This label is actually not an inaccurate one. OCD, at its very core, is a disorder that emerges from a fear of doubt and uncertainty. All human beings are hard-wired to try to reduce doubt and uncertainty when they feel unsafe. But throughout life, we are faced with situations in which there is no certainty. And indeed, if we think hard enough about it, it may be difficult to identify things that we can be 100% certain of, of which there is 0% doubt. But most of us are comfortable to go through life accepting a certain degree of uncertainty as we live our lives. But what if a situation arises in which you believe you can't accept any uncertainty? That, for whatever reason, you believe that you must remove all doubt? Obsessive Compulsive disorder is a fear of uncertainty coupled with an unwillingness to tolerate it.
OCD is a disorder that is often misunderstood. Some people buy into the myth that OCD is just about being very organized and tidy. This stereotype has become so pervasive that it's not uncommon to hear people say, "I'm so OCD!" But people who suffer from OCD can tell you that these stereotypes bear little resemblance to real OCD. True OCD can be debilitating, terrifying and demoralizing. It can destroy relationships and devastate families. If OCD is allowed to run amok, it can and will consume your every waking moment and derail all of your hopes and dreams.
Proper Treatment Begins with an Accurate Diagnosis
The clinicians at Belmont Psych are all skilled in the diagnosis of OCD. Patients who think they might have OCD are best served by clinicians who understand the OCD diagnosis and who are familiar with the wide variety of presentations of the disorder. It is not uncommon for patients with OCD to be misdiagnosed. In fact, research shows that OCD is one of the most misdiagnosed disorders.
Therapists with less training and experience in the diagnosis of OCD may require patients to go through lengthy and costly testing and evaluations. We have heard from patients who have paid literally thousands of dollars for nothing more than an accurate diagnosis. If a therapist tells you that you need to have costly tests and evaluations in order to diagnose your OCD, then it may benefit you to seek out a second opinion. At Belmont Psych, we understand this disorder well enough to diagnose it through a routine intake appointment. It is only the very rare exception that any testing is required to make the diagnosis. Many patients who prefer to use their insurance for their treatment will pay out of pocket to meet with one of our therapists for an intake appointment to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Then, armed with an accurate diagnosis, they can return to their in-network provider and discuss appropriate treatment options.
It is only when an accurate OCD diagnosis is made that we can provide the appropriate treatment. The treatment of choice for OCD is called "Exposure and Response Prevention."
Treatment of OCD: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
The clinicians at Belmont Psych are all highly skilled in the application of the treatment of choice for OCD, which is Exposure and Response Prevention. ERP for OCD involves allowing yourself to experience uncertainty and discomfort without engaging in any compulsion or avoidance to reduce its impact. An “Exposure” is simply allowing yourself to face your fears. To engage in a behavior, or have a particular thought, or feel a particular feeling that has previously been avoided. “Response Prevention” is the term used to describe the process of resisting the urge to engage in a compulsion or to run from the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that invariably come when we face our fears.
It is not uncommon for therapists to believe they understand how to provide treatment for OCD, but in reality, they do not have the supervised experience or the training to manage the complexities of the disorder. Many untrained clinicians believe that the focus of treatment should be on trying to “calm down” or to “stop thinking about it.” This type of treatment is likely only to frustrate the individual in the throws of their obsessions and compulsions. The truth of the matter is that the more we try to “stop thinking” about something, the more likely it is that we will think about it. The more we try to “calm down” as we approach the discomfort of facing our fears, the more distressed we often become. It is essential that the therapist you choose be proficient in the use of ERP.
The focus in ERP is on learning to tolerate the “not right” feeling, learning to cope with the distress, and most importantly, learning to accept uncertainty. We are often asked by our patients, "But isn’t it normal to want to feel safe and be certain of things?" And absolutely, it is very normal and natural for human beings to desire safety, certainty and security. The question is....how certain must we be? The answer to that question typically differs depending on the particular obsession. Individuals dealing with OCD generally have a number of obsessions that fuel their compulsive behaviors. Some of their compulsions will be easier to resist because the feared consequences aren’t as scary. Some compulsions will feel impossible to resist because the obsession is so frightening. In ERP treatment, you will work with your therapist to figure out a plan that will help you address the less scary obsessions first and then progress to the more difficult ones.
OCD is a Bully- Don't give in!
OCD is a bully who will tell you that you can't tolerate uncertainty. OCD will tell you that you MUST do something to get rid of your doubts and discomfort. For the individual with OCD, it feels as though the obsessions will pester you and pester you until you cave in and engage in the compulsions. But OCD is a bully, and we know what happens when we give in to a bully. If you give in and give a bully your lunch money, the bully will demand more. OCD can take everything from you if you allow it. And while it is scary to stand up to a bully, and while it may feel easier to just “give in” to get the bully off of your back, it is only by standing up to the bully and allowing yourself to be scared that the bully will eventually leave you in peace. If you are reading this and you know that it describes you, perhaps you'll be willing to take a step further and call us. Or, if you would like to learn more about OCD and start taking steps on your own to get better, consider one of the excellent resources listed below that are regularly recommended by our team.
Therapy Is More Than A Conversation
Some critics of psychotherapy have likened the role of the therapist to a friend who is paid to sit and chit chat with clients about their lives or just listen while people complain. And while some therapists do perhaps provide little more than emotional support, the role of the Cognitive Behavior Therapist is different. CBT involves providing a great deal of education, helping clients to remember and use that education, teaching concrete skills, and tracking progress to confirm that patients are benefitting. It is our hope that by reviewing the information provided on this website, that anyone who is interested in our services, or in any therapist's services for that matter, is able to appreciate the difference it makes to work with well-trained Cognitive Behavior Therapists.
Freedom From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Author: Jonathan Grayson, Ph.D.
https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Personalized/dp/042527389X
Take Control of OCD: The Ultimate Guide for Kids with OCD
Author: Bonnie Zucker, Psy.D.
www.amazon.com/Take-Control-OCD-Ultimate-Guide/dp/1593634293
Talking Back to OCD: The Program That Helps Kids and Teens Say "No Way" -- and Parents Say "Way to Go"
Author: John March, MD
www.amazon.com/Talking-Back-OCD-Program-Parents/dp/1593853556
Please call us at 562-799-6700 or email us at [email protected] to schedule an appointment today.
Some may have heard of OCD referred to as “the doubting disease”. This label is actually not an inaccurate one. OCD, at its very core, is a disorder that emerges from a fear of doubt and uncertainty. All human beings are hard-wired to try to reduce doubt and uncertainty when they feel unsafe. But throughout life, we are faced with situations in which there is no certainty. And indeed, if we think hard enough about it, it may be difficult to identify things that we can be 100% certain of, of which there is 0% doubt. But most of us are comfortable to go through life accepting a certain degree of uncertainty as we live our lives. But what if a situation arises in which you believe you can't accept any uncertainty? That, for whatever reason, you believe that you must remove all doubt? Obsessive Compulsive disorder is a fear of uncertainty coupled with an unwillingness to tolerate it.
OCD is a disorder that is often misunderstood. Some people buy into the myth that OCD is just about being very organized and tidy. This stereotype has become so pervasive that it's not uncommon to hear people say, "I'm so OCD!" But people who suffer from OCD can tell you that these stereotypes bear little resemblance to real OCD. True OCD can be debilitating, terrifying and demoralizing. It can destroy relationships and devastate families. If OCD is allowed to run amok, it can and will consume your every waking moment and derail all of your hopes and dreams.
Proper Treatment Begins with an Accurate Diagnosis
The clinicians at Belmont Psych are all skilled in the diagnosis of OCD. Patients who think they might have OCD are best served by clinicians who understand the OCD diagnosis and who are familiar with the wide variety of presentations of the disorder. It is not uncommon for patients with OCD to be misdiagnosed. In fact, research shows that OCD is one of the most misdiagnosed disorders.
Therapists with less training and experience in the diagnosis of OCD may require patients to go through lengthy and costly testing and evaluations. We have heard from patients who have paid literally thousands of dollars for nothing more than an accurate diagnosis. If a therapist tells you that you need to have costly tests and evaluations in order to diagnose your OCD, then it may benefit you to seek out a second opinion. At Belmont Psych, we understand this disorder well enough to diagnose it through a routine intake appointment. It is only the very rare exception that any testing is required to make the diagnosis. Many patients who prefer to use their insurance for their treatment will pay out of pocket to meet with one of our therapists for an intake appointment to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Then, armed with an accurate diagnosis, they can return to their in-network provider and discuss appropriate treatment options.
It is only when an accurate OCD diagnosis is made that we can provide the appropriate treatment. The treatment of choice for OCD is called "Exposure and Response Prevention."
Treatment of OCD: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
The clinicians at Belmont Psych are all highly skilled in the application of the treatment of choice for OCD, which is Exposure and Response Prevention. ERP for OCD involves allowing yourself to experience uncertainty and discomfort without engaging in any compulsion or avoidance to reduce its impact. An “Exposure” is simply allowing yourself to face your fears. To engage in a behavior, or have a particular thought, or feel a particular feeling that has previously been avoided. “Response Prevention” is the term used to describe the process of resisting the urge to engage in a compulsion or to run from the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that invariably come when we face our fears.
It is not uncommon for therapists to believe they understand how to provide treatment for OCD, but in reality, they do not have the supervised experience or the training to manage the complexities of the disorder. Many untrained clinicians believe that the focus of treatment should be on trying to “calm down” or to “stop thinking about it.” This type of treatment is likely only to frustrate the individual in the throws of their obsessions and compulsions. The truth of the matter is that the more we try to “stop thinking” about something, the more likely it is that we will think about it. The more we try to “calm down” as we approach the discomfort of facing our fears, the more distressed we often become. It is essential that the therapist you choose be proficient in the use of ERP.
The focus in ERP is on learning to tolerate the “not right” feeling, learning to cope with the distress, and most importantly, learning to accept uncertainty. We are often asked by our patients, "But isn’t it normal to want to feel safe and be certain of things?" And absolutely, it is very normal and natural for human beings to desire safety, certainty and security. The question is....how certain must we be? The answer to that question typically differs depending on the particular obsession. Individuals dealing with OCD generally have a number of obsessions that fuel their compulsive behaviors. Some of their compulsions will be easier to resist because the feared consequences aren’t as scary. Some compulsions will feel impossible to resist because the obsession is so frightening. In ERP treatment, you will work with your therapist to figure out a plan that will help you address the less scary obsessions first and then progress to the more difficult ones.
OCD is a Bully- Don't give in!
OCD is a bully who will tell you that you can't tolerate uncertainty. OCD will tell you that you MUST do something to get rid of your doubts and discomfort. For the individual with OCD, it feels as though the obsessions will pester you and pester you until you cave in and engage in the compulsions. But OCD is a bully, and we know what happens when we give in to a bully. If you give in and give a bully your lunch money, the bully will demand more. OCD can take everything from you if you allow it. And while it is scary to stand up to a bully, and while it may feel easier to just “give in” to get the bully off of your back, it is only by standing up to the bully and allowing yourself to be scared that the bully will eventually leave you in peace. If you are reading this and you know that it describes you, perhaps you'll be willing to take a step further and call us. Or, if you would like to learn more about OCD and start taking steps on your own to get better, consider one of the excellent resources listed below that are regularly recommended by our team.
Therapy Is More Than A Conversation
Some critics of psychotherapy have likened the role of the therapist to a friend who is paid to sit and chit chat with clients about their lives or just listen while people complain. And while some therapists do perhaps provide little more than emotional support, the role of the Cognitive Behavior Therapist is different. CBT involves providing a great deal of education, helping clients to remember and use that education, teaching concrete skills, and tracking progress to confirm that patients are benefitting. It is our hope that by reviewing the information provided on this website, that anyone who is interested in our services, or in any therapist's services for that matter, is able to appreciate the difference it makes to work with well-trained Cognitive Behavior Therapists.
Freedom From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Author: Jonathan Grayson, Ph.D.
https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Personalized/dp/042527389X
Take Control of OCD: The Ultimate Guide for Kids with OCD
Author: Bonnie Zucker, Psy.D.
www.amazon.com/Take-Control-OCD-Ultimate-Guide/dp/1593634293
Talking Back to OCD: The Program That Helps Kids and Teens Say "No Way" -- and Parents Say "Way to Go"
Author: John March, MD
www.amazon.com/Talking-Back-OCD-Program-Parents/dp/1593853556
Please call us at 562-799-6700 or email us at [email protected] to schedule an appointment today.
