Many people experience intrusive thoughts – upsetting ideas or images that pop into their mind for no reason at all. For example, the thought of steering a car into oncoming traffic or blurting something offensive out in the middle of a meeting. Most people can brush these thoughts off and forget about them. But for some, these intrusive thoughts play on an endless loop, causing tremendous amounts of anxiety, guilt, and distress. And like anxiety, people may find themselves repeatedly thinking about negative things happening in their daily life or relationships – such as a partner cheating on them or breaking up with them.
This is called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is a condition that causes unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that a person tries to minimize by engaging in some form of mental or physical action (compulsions). These thoughts can be about anything – sex, religion, violence, health, or the meaning of life, to name a few. When left untreated, these intrusive thoughts run rampant and can result in repetitive, time-consuming, and painful ritualistic behaviors. People may become isolated by these obsessions – unable to control them, even as they’re aware of the negative effect this vicious cycle is having on their relationships, work, school, and overall quality of life.
Are you looking for freedom from unwanted obsessions and compulsions? Are you struggling to overcome your fears, stop the never-ending compulsive cycle, and get your life back from constant rumination or avoidance? Whether you are a parent aching from the pain of watching your child suffer from OCD, or you are looking for answers for yourself, Palm Cove Psychology Group is here to help.
Treatment for OCD The prognosis for OCD is positive with the right treatment. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard for OCD treatment and is used at the onset of therapy to challenge the distorted thoughts and promote rational thinking. Mindfulness-based techniques are then employed to help the client manage the anxiety and discomfort which accompany these oftentimes horrific thought patterns, and finally, exposure and response prevention (ERP) is used to gradually challenge the client to face their fears. Often, when we face our feared scenario in small, manageable ways, we discover that the outcome we expected either does not occur or is far more manageable than we might have thought. Exposure therapy should always be done with the help of a licensed professional, and preferably someone who specializes in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Schedule Your First Appointment Palm Cove Psychology Group is conveniently located near I-95 in Boynton Beach, Florida. We provide individualized therapy for OCD to children, adolescents, and adults who reside in Palm Beach County, including the Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Hypoluxo, Lantana, Lake Worth, and Wellington areas. If you are looking for OCD treatment in the Boynton Beach area, we invite you to please call (561) 903-0078 or visit our Contact page. There is help. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about exposure-based treatments and our practice.
