What Are Obsessive Compulsive Issues?
People struggling with obsessive compulsive issues experience intense, distressing, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) on a routine basis. To alleviate or relieve these thoughts, they engage in specific, habitual behaviors like counting, creating order, washing, or cleaning (compulsions). Although such individuals usually acknowledge these thoughts and behaviors as excessive, they often do not feel they can stop. As a result, these patterns can take a significant toll on their physical and emotional well-being. They may jeopardize their relationships, work performance, or health due to their condition.
What Problems Arise From Obsessive Compulsive Issues?
Obsessive compulsive issues can be stressful, time-consuming, and shameful. Most people struggling find themselves feeling highly preoccupied and anxious in daily situations. Even if there isn’t a logical reason for this anxiety, they feel on edge and distracted. For example, they may experience tremendous fear over a loved one dying. Whenever this loved one gets in the car, they envision terrible images of them crashing. The fear can become so catastrophic that they cannot focus on anything else. It is only when they engage in compulsive behavior that they find some relief. Unfortunately, this relief is short-lived, and they will need to continue participating in that behavior over and over again.
If left untreated, obsessive compulsive issues can become progressively worse. Compulsive behaviors often require more and more of one’s time and mental energy. As a result, they are left with less room to focus on relationships and other important tasks throughout the day.
How Therapy Can Help Treat Obsessive Compulsive Issues
Therapy can be highly effective in treating obsessive compulsive issues. We will work together to reduce the intensity of your anxiety. We may challenge, reframe, or replace some of your thoughts with more realistic ones. You will learn how to become more comfortable and even accept some of the distress you experience. We may use manageable and controlled exposure with response prevention to relearn the environment and recalibrate illogical fears. Finally, through implementing new coping skills to manage uncomfortable feelings, you will gain a greater sense of control over your emotional state.
