What is OCD?
OCD can take many forms but in general, sufferers experience repetitive, unwelcome and intrusive thoughts, images, impulses and doubts which they find hard to ignore. These thoughts form the obsessional part of ‘Obsessive-Compulsive’ and they usually (but not always) cause the person to perform repetitive compulsions in a vain attempt to relieve themselves of the obsessions and neutralise the fear.
Sufferers may try to fight these thoughts with mental or physical rituals. These compulsions involve repeatedly performing actions such as hand washing, cleaning, checking, counting, hoarding or partaking in endless rumination.
Avoidance of feared situations is also common; however, this often results in further worrying and preoccupation with the obsessive thoughts.
Typically, the individual experiences a sense of resistance to the act but this is overridden by the strong drive to perform the action. Most often the principal aim behind the compulsive act is to generate temporary relief from the anxiety – and to feel a sense of being able to control their anxiety.
Intrusive thoughts: Pure O
Some sufferers will have the obsessive thoughts but no physical outward compulsions – a form of OCD often called ‘Pure O’. Mainly, these thoughts are often about harming yourself or others, or may be sexual in nature. This is the very reason that they become intrusive – if they had no anxiety about thinking them, they wouldn’t keep doing so! Sufferers then attach even more negative meaning to these thoughts and worry that because they’ve had such a terrible thought, it must mean that they are a bad person or will actually act upon them. This results in even more anxiety and further perpetuates the intrusive thoughts.
Most sufferers know that their thoughts and behaviour are irrational but feel incapable of stopping them. This can have a significant impact on their confidence and self-esteem and as a result, their careers, relationships and lifestyles.
Discover how to get back REAL control over your thoughts and behaviours and to learn how to thrive! People suffering from OCD have certain beliefs and styles of thinking that maintain and escalate their symptoms, including feeling powerless and out of control. The result of this is then to try to over-control their thinking – which only creates more anxiety and feelings of powerlessness. I can teach you how to feel completely in control of your thoughts and feelings in just a few enlightening sessions.
The Thrive Programme is very different to CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) or certainly any other treatment for OCD that is commonly practised. It is much more than just a series of techniques to help you deal with the problem.
This treatment is an empowering and liberating psychological training programme which aims to give you the insight into the real reason you have these thoughts and/or behaviours. You’ll find that it’s much simpler than you may have ever believed to take control and rid yourself of them!
The Thrive Programme is a life-changing psychological training programme that empowers you with the skills, insights and resources in order to take control of your life, overcome any symptoms or problems you have, and thrive!
If you would like to find out more about how I can help you to complete the Thrive Programme CONTACT ME to arrange a FREE, confidential, initial consultation. You may also like to take a look at some video testimonials to see how other people have overcome their OCD and in doing so, learned to truly Thrive.
