Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
You would normally hear or read about obsessive behaviours and disorders being linked with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is a diagnosis widely used within the mental health profession.
Generally speaking, a compulsive behaviour (gambling, drinking) is one that is undertaken, often with little thought, on impulse or with a sense of having been ‘driven’ to it, and instant relief is felt.
There may be some feelings of guilt or shame felt afterwards, but immediate gratification is felt at the time.
With obsessions, this sense of relief is often never achieved. The person is more likely to focus excessively on the issue at hand, often becoming totally preoccupied by it; they can find themselves involved in repetitive cycles of behaviour which provide little or no relief, and sometimes activities are carried out to ensure something else (often something bad) does not happen. (If I check the door lock 50 times I can avoid the chances of being burgled.)
The Types of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive thoughts and behaviours can range from simple everyday behaviours such as tidiness (e.g. placing all food tins in the cupboard with the label facing outwards) to counting numbers or doing sums in their head to the point that they can think of nothing else.
With all obsessional thoughts and behaviours, it is the degree to which the issue is preoccupying your time and/or limiting your life that is important. For example, someone who worries about dirt or contamination may simply wash their hands carefully, maybe try and avoid using public toilets, or perhaps ensure they do not touch doors or handles in public toilets even if this means waiting a long time for someone else to open the door so they can nip through ‘untouched’.
However, place this same person under stress and they may begin to wash their hands obsessively and for some people this may become ritualistic to the point that their hands are never clean enough to leave their house.
The following list covers the more common obsessive thoughts and behaviours:
Being overly jealous
Eating issues (e.g. avoiding certain foods, anorexia)
Constant worry about something
Sleeping problems (e.g. insomnia)
Paranoia
Excessive exercise
Continual negative thoughts
Intrusive thoughts
Constant counting
Excessive tidiness
Please do not be put off if your particular issue has not been identified in the list above: obsessive thoughts, behaviours and disorders are so varied and often specific to the individual that it would be impossible to list them all here.
What is important to realise is that it is the underling reasons for the behaviour that is significant and it is this that is treated with hypnotherapy or psychotherapy, rather than the precise behaviours themselves.
If you have any doubts, please contact me at my practice and I will answer any of your concerns.
Hypnotherapy & Mindset Training for OCD
Meeting for an initial consultation is essential so we can talk through your specific issued and worries. We can then decide the most effective course of action to help you based on what you are experiencing. Contact me on 07970298545 or book your free appointment.