Online Therapy for OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) causes extreme anxiety which typically shows itself in behavioural rituals which need to be repeated frequently, in addition to recurrent negative thoughts and feelings.

People suffering with OCD, will often try to resist the thoughts or rituals, but this can result in feelings of extreme anxiety which can only be relieved by completing the ritual, or engaging with the thoughts, causing a cycle of the behaviour.

Symptoms, Effects and Causes

Symptoms of OCD can include hoarding, extreme routines that involve doing certain things over and over again, for example, handwashing, walking up and down stairs, memorising number plates or checking electrical items are turned off before being able to leave the house.

Effects of OCD

OCD can impact every area of a person’s life. It can affect their relationships, their social life, their work life and their ability to carry out everyday tasks. It is estimated that 1.2% of the population is living with OCD at any given time [1].

Causes of OCD

There is no definitive cause of OCD, but it can be triggered by an incident or an experience that leads a person to feel scared or vulnerable. OCD is more likely to develop in families where someone else in the family is suffering. Although there is no genetic evidence to support this, it is believed this could be due to similar life experiences.

Research has shown that when individuals who suffer from OCD underwent a brain scan, the part of the brain responsible for emotions, indicated increased activity. Research has also shown that following successful treatment, this activity can return to the same levels as someone who doesn’t have OCD.

How can online therapy for OCD help?

Online therapy for OCD can help, by offering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treatment which has proven to be successful in the treatment of the condition.

Online counselling for OCD

At the start of the treatment, a qualified therapist will ask about the symptoms a person has been suffering via a video app such as Zoom, as well as find out a little more about their lifestyle, any experiences that may have led to the condition and so forth. In carrying out online counselling for OCD, a therapist can tailor the treatment specifically for the individual and help them to understand why they have OCD, which can help them to develop the belief that they can overcome it.

Once the therapist has all the information they need, they will help the patient to explore their thoughts and behaviours and develop techniques which they can use to counter any compulsions and cope with the anxiety.

Before completing the treatment, the therapist will also help an individual to understand what triggers the OCD behaviour and offer ways of coping if these triggers reoccur in the future. Online counselling for OCD has proven extremely effective in helping people overcome the condition and live happier, more fulfilling lives.

[1] https://www.ocduk.org/ocd/how-common-is-ocd/