OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common anxiety disorder. It causes unreasonable thoughts, fears, or worries.
Obsessions
These are intrusive, distressing, and often irrational thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly enter a person’s mind. Examples include fears of contamination, harming others, or doubts about whether something was done correctly.
People with OCD typically recognise that their obsessions are irrational, but they feel powerless to stop them.
Compulsions
Often done to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsessions. Individuals with OCD engage in compulsions—repetitive behaviours or mental rituals.
These might include washing hands excessively, checking things repeatedly (like locks or appliances), or mentally counting or praying. While compulsions provide short-term relief from anxiety, they ultimately reinforce the obsession-compulsion cycle and can take up a lot of time.
What treatment helps OCD?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered one of the most effective treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
One of the core techniques in CBT for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention. This involves exposing your child to situations that trigger your obsessions (the thoughts or images that provoke anxiety) without performing the compulsive rituals or behaviours. Over time, this reduces the intensity of the anxiety associated with the obsessions and the compulsions, showing your child that you can tolerate distressing thoughts without acting on them.
Cognitive Restructuring
Helps your child identify and challenge irrational or distorted thoughts. For example, the belief that certain thoughts will come true if you do not do your action or must be prevented at all costs to avoid disaster. In OCD, these thoughts often fuel the compulsive behaviours. By recognising that these thoughts are distorted and irrational your child can reduce the anxiety the thoughts cause.