OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a combination of unwanted and repetitive thoughts that cause significant distress, and behaviours that happen to reduce the distress and prevent unwanted outcomes from happening. A few examples are:

• Concerns about harm, and staying away from any objects that may cause harm unintentionally or intentionally
• Concerns about danger, and repetitively checking that all doors and windows are locked 
• Concerns about whether thoughts were morally right, and avoiding any numbers, images, or places that don't align with those values
• Concerns about germs or contamination, leading to repetitive cleaning or organizing

OCD may also include:

• Checking or rechecking
• Mental behaviours: counting, repeating phrases or words, repeating sounds
• Movements, sounds, or tapping until things feel "just right"
• Arranging or rearranging
• Repeting behaviours in a specific order
• Avoiding places that may lead to uncertainty

Additionally, the behaviours take up a large amount of time and interfere with daily activities, such as work, school, time at home, leisure, hobbies, and relationships.

How does Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy help?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy helps by gradually facing the thoughts and feelings without immediately doing the behaviours to relieve the discomfort. This is done in a compassionate space that is supportive of each person's own treatment plan. Treatment plans often include creating a list of uncomfortable or feared thoughts or events, and confronting them. They're often ranked from least distressing to most distressing, and exposures begin with the least distressing. This approach is practiced over time in session, and regular check-ins about practice are encouraged.

How does Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) help?

ACT helps by building strategies and tools that change how a person responds to their thoughts and feelings. This is done by practicing skills that increase acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings, aligning with values and the behaviours that support those values. It includes seeing difficulty with increased mindfulness, self-compassion and acceptance.