Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder treatment at Nightingale Hospital
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, known widely as OCD, is a mental health disorder, in which someone has repeated unwanted thoughts, feelings or behaviour. It can be repeating the same action, as washing a dish over and over.
Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessions
Obsessions are unwanted, unpleasant and repeated thoughts, images, doubts or ruminations in your mind. You try not to think about them, but they won’t go away. They may wonder for hours whether you might have caused an accident or misfortune to someone, endlessly argue with themselves or bothered, in a way that other people are not if things are not in the exactly the right order, not balanced or not in the right place.
Compulsions
Compulsions are mental acts or repetitive behaviour. Individuals with OCD experience obsessional thoughts like counting or saying a special word over and over again or avoidance by avoiding to touch particular objects, go to certain places or take risks or accepting responsibility. They may have rituals such as wash hands frequently or repeatedly ask others to tell you that everything is alright.
OCD may cause feelings of anxiety. Individuals can feel tense, anxious, fearful, guilty, disgusted or depressed. They feel better if they carry out your compulsive behaviour or ritual.
Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at Nightingale Hospital
Our approach to treating OCD at Nightingale Hospital London includes individualised treatment programmes based on current clinical evidence. You may attend as an outpatient, day patient or inpatient.
Talking therapy
There are two types of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, known as CBT, that treat OCD. The first one is Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is a way to stop compulsive behaviours and anxieties strengthening each other by gradually facing your fears and learning to prevent the usual compulsive behaviours. The second one is Cognitive Therapy (CT) and it is goal-directed, systematic and problem solving therapeutic approach that focuses on the way we think and acts in order to help overcome and manage emotional difficulties.
Inpatient admission
Inpatient admission will usually be suggested if:
- Your symptoms are very severe, you cannot look after yourself properly or you have thoughts about suicide
- You have other serious mental health problems, such as an eating disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis or a severe depression
- Your OCD prevents you from getting to a clinic for treatment
Medication
Medication can also be effective in improving OCD symptoms. It can be used in combination with CBT to reduce obsessions and compulsions.
If you’re suffering from OCD, get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help.
