Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder , known as OCD, is a mental health disorder, in which individual have repeated unwanted thoughts, feelings or behaviour. It can be repeating the same action like washing over and over. OCD can be understood and treated using a variety of approaches.
Our treatment approach for OCD
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 act in order to help overcome and manage emotional difficulties.
Medication
Medication can also be effective in improving OCD symptoms. It can be used in combination with CBT to reduce obsessions and compulsions.
Symptoms of 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. Individuals with obsessions experience shocking or blasphemous single words or short phrases. 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.
Helping those with OCD
Talking about the problem
Contact a professional who will be able to help you, on your own or in a group. Regular contact face to face or over the phone, Up to ten hours of contact is recommended to start with, but you may need more.
This usually happens every week or two weeks to start with, and can last for between 45 and 60 minutes at a time.
Inpatient admission
Admission will only 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 getting to a clinic for treatment
