OCD: Healing & Hope

Most people experience intrusive and bizarre thoughts on a regular basis, however, if you have OCD you may over-inflate the importance or danger associated with these thoughts. You might believe that having such thoughts means that you have increased the likelihood of that thought becoming true. You may dramatically overestimate your level of responsibility for catastrophic events taking place and feel you have to take actions to prevent it.  Most people with OCD struggle with a low tolerance for uncertainty and engage in compulsive behaviors to alleviate the anxiety the uncertainty creates.  

I work with OCD from a trauma-informed view. I offer Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for those interested.

 "Imagine that your mind got stuck on a certain thought or image . . . Then this thought or image got replayed in your mind over and over again  no matter what you did . . . You don’t want these thoughts - it feels like an avalanche . . . Along with the thoughts come intense feelings of anxiety . . . Anxiety is your brain’s warning system. When you feel anxious it feels like you are in danger. Anxiety is an emotion that tells you to respond, react, protect yourself, DO SOMETHING . . . On the one hand, you might recognize that the fear doesn’t make sense, doesn’t seem reasonable yet it still feels very real, intense, and true . . . Why would your brain lie? Why would you be experiencing feelings if they weren’t true? Feelings don’t lie . . . Unfortunately, if you have OCD, they do lie. If you have OCD, (the warning system in your brain is not working correctly. Your brain is telling you that you are in danger when you are not." (OCD Booklet).  

The good news is help is available and that many clients experience relief and freedom!