Living with OCD
I can't imagine what it must feel like to have unwanted thoughts come into your head causing so much emotional and mental distress that it feels like the only relief is to do an act such as counting, touching an object repeatedly, or seeking reassurance. I have had clients tell me that they believe something terrible will happen to their loved ones if they don't perform a certain ritual, they feel that they don't have any other choice. Many clients have explained to me how they will have thoughts of hurting someone and it confuses them because they know that they truly don't want to hurt anyone. Sometimes this causes people to feel shame but there is no shame in this condition called obsessive compulsive disorder.
Treatment Approach
The best evidence for treatment is to combine exposure response prevention therapy with medication. An adequate trial of medication includes being at a therapeutic dose for about 12 weeks. Taking medication can help give your brain some room so that you can integrate exposure therapy and be successful in decreasing the intensity of your symptoms. When your brain is setting off signals that you “must act now!” it can be difficult to slow down enough to tolerate the uncomfortable feelings that will arise as you engage in exposure techniques. This is where medication can help. The first step is considering that your life can be different with treatment and that it is more than okay to have doubts along the way.
Working as a team
I am fully available and happy to work in collaboration with or help you find a therapist who treats OCD with evidence based practices. Another way that I can support you is by tracking your progress with objective rating scales. I am committed to the process and can assure you that there is always an adjustment that can be made with medication if necessary to support your treatment. At Hope Springs Psychiatry my hope is that you walk away from appointments with me knowing that I care and believe that it truly is hard for you to live each day trying to cope with the cycles of obsessive compulsive disorder. There is a path to healing and you don’t have to get there alone.
