Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

That pesky thought sticks in your mind.

You notice the thought again, visiting you as it often does.

That thought is like flypaper, stuck to your mind. You push, you distract yourself, try to take your mind off the thought… but it never works.

Tension builds. You know what works, so you do it. Tension dissipates. So does the thought.

That is until the thought comes back, and you know it will.

Adhering to the pattern provides temporary relief.

You know the pattern very well.

At first, the relief outweighed the consequences.

This pattern of obsessive thoughts followed by compulsive behaviors is inconvenient but fine.

At least you had relief.

But relief is fleeting.

You respond to the thought pattern. But now, the consequences are outweighing the relief.

How can you live your life meaningfully when these behaviors tether you?

How can you follow your passions and interests when these obsessions preoccupy your mind?

What follows these questions is an even more difficult question… How do you stop?

Help for stopping is available.

Therapy can help you live your life without being tied down by obsessions and compulsions.

We can work together to understand this pattern and the effect it has on your life.

By engaging in research-supported therapeutic techniques, such as Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP), you will gain tools to help you break out of these patterns, rather than being controlled by these patterns.

Now, you have a different response.

You notice the thought – the obsessive thought that comes and visits you. But it’s been visiting you less and less.

Now, you acknowledge the thought and go back to the task at hand.

You feel that familiar compulsion to do what used to bring you relief. However, you don’t do that anymore. It’s just not for you anymore. You go back to your task and go about your day.

The thought and compulsion are left behind. After all, you aren’t tethered by the OCD anymore.

Let’s change the response to that pesky thought.

While working together, we will find ways to not respond to that thought in a predictable pattern.

Change the pattern and gain genuine relief from your OCD.

Contact me today! darlene@canvasofchange.com