Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD is a very real, often debilitating health disorder and it is treatable! Don't lose another day to the maddening intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that spin up your anxiety into paralyzing fear, which causes you to do, or think, certain things (compulsions) to try to calm the fears. In the initial treatment of OCD, education is critical. Once you better understand what OCD is, how it is diagnosed, how it operates, the treatment methods and your particular symptoms, then the therapy begins to help you re-frame the view you have of the thoughts that seem to chase and push you around. The information and resources provided below is a start on your education - consider it free therapy!
My commitment to training
The International OCD Foundation developed the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) to educate providers on the proper diagnosis and treatment of OCD and related disorders. I completed the intensive course in 2018 and continue my education and training through attendance at the IOCDF annual meetings, formal and informal conferences, extensive reading, and consultation with other professionals. I probably spend at least 2-4 hours per week reading, watching presentations, participating in conferences. Research continues to uncover new information about OCD and treatment to help those who suffer. It is also important to hear from those who have OCD to learn from them what worked well, how they manage their symptoms and how they found freedom to live with OCD. I learn as much from those who have OCD as I do from the researchers and clinical professionals.
My therapy approach
My therapy approach to OCD begins with assessment of your symptoms to determine what it is you are struggling with - is it OCD, anxiety, depression, panic disorder? Or do you have OCD with depression (or other diagnosis)? This would be described as co-occurring disorders. I use screening tools to begin this process, your self-reported symptoms during our sessions, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale-Revised (YBOCS) and the DSM-V diagnostic criteria. Prior diagnoses from other providers is considered, but confirmed through the process I follow.
In our first sessions, I want to introduce you to the cognitive-behavioral therapy model I use, gather general information about your family and support system and learn how your OCD is affecting you. ERP and ACT build on CBT, so this is foundational to the work we will do. I want to hear what are your goals, and together we build a plan for your specific exposure/response prevention. We will be incorporating ERP and ACT throughout your work.
Presentation of OCD
OCD presents in many ways, and is often identified by the particular areas in which someone has obsessive thoughts. These include Harm OCD (intrusive thoughts of unknowingly causing harm to self or others), Taboo OCD (violent or sexual intrusive thoughts), Religious OCD, also called Scrupulosity (fear of having blasphemous thoughts or actions), Contamination OCD (fear of being contaminated or causing contamination), Somatic OCD (fear of having a disease or problem with one's body). This is not an exhaustive list but provides an idea as to the many presentations of OCD.
The resources below are a starting place to learn more from organizations dedicated to evidence-based treatment and good clinical research. Plus, see information below about the article titled Everyone Has Intrusive Thoughts. If you are a client and would like a copy of the article, please call or email me.
If you would like a jump-start on therapy, begin with Mind Over Mood to learn about Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Intro, Chapters 1, 2, 3, then the chapters on depression and anxiety are what I recommend to begin). You can find this book at the St. Louis County Library, or check your local library. The next two books, together, will bring you to a much greater understanding and includes foundational work to learn ACT and ERP. 'Getting Over OCD - A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life' (Second Edition) by Jonathan Abramowitz and 'Living Beyond OCD Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy' by Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona.
General Information on OCD
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) website https://iocdf.org/ IOCDF has many opportunities to interact with professionals and ambassadors who live with OCD through their FaceBook page. Frequent postings of meetings, vlogs, and interactive sessions can help you gain insight and knowledge. You can also go to the IOCDF videos through searching YouTube.
Intrusive Thoughts website www.intrusivethoughts.org/
Recommended Workbooks
Getting Over OCD - A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life (Second Edition) by Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD
Living Beyond OCD Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Patricia E Zurita Ona, PsyD NOTE: As of 7/19/21 I'm still reading this, but so far have found it to be a very engaging and interesting resource.
On-Line Resources
FaceBook site for IOCDF with forums for learning, asking questions and support https://www.facebook.com/IOCDF
YouTube - type in IOCDF and you will find many resources from which to choose.
Anxieties.com A section devoted to OCD. https://anxieties.com/94/ocd/
Dr. Ted Witzig is an expert in Scrupulosity from the perspective of a mental health professional and as a Christian as well as posts information about OCD in general . This link is to resources he has produced. https://www.accounseling.org/category/mentalhealth/ocd/
Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale at the Peace of Mind Foundation. https://peaceofmind.com/
Local/National Support Groups
National Website for Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous You can join open meetings across the country via Zoom https://obsessivecompulsiveanonymous.org/
St. Louis Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous Effective 4/1/21, contact Bonnie at 314-484-3419 to ask for access to the Zoom meetings during COVID. The contact information on the website is not updated. http://www.stlocdsupport.com/
Disorders Related to OCD
Information about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Muscle Dysmorphia (MD)
IOCDF website https://bdd.iocdf.org/
IOCDF website https://bdd.iocdf.org/expert-opinions/muscle-dysmorphia/
Intrusive Thoughts website www.intrusivethoughts.org/ocd-symptoms/body-dysmorphic-disorder/
Information about Hoarding Disorder
IOCDF website https://hoarding.iocdf.org/
Intrusive Thoughts website www.intrusivethoughts.org/ocd-symptoms/hoarding/
Information about Misophonia (hearing sounds that are very disturbing)
IOCDF website https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/misophonia/
Misophonia Association https://misophonia-association.org/misophonia-association.org/
Misophonia Support http://www.misophonia.com/
Misophonia Institute https://misophoniainstitute.org/
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB's)
For information about Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling), Excoriation (Skin-Picking - face, nails, anywhere) and other related disorders, go to IOCDF https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/related-disorders/
TLC Foundation for BFRB's www.bfrb.org/
Body Focused Repetitive Disorders (Skin-Picking, Hair Pulling) https://mindfulstl.com/body-focused-repetitive-behaviors-bfrbs-treatment-groups/?fbclid=IwAR1S5FXSiaUJCVWGlaVoeTWTUKBzpn1lTvlBxURMCpymdWfwQa7OobEjUpQ
My commitment to training
The International OCD Foundation developed the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) to educate providers on the proper diagnosis and treatment of OCD and related disorders. I completed the intensive course in 2018 and continue my education and training through attendance at the IOCDF annual meetings, formal and informal conferences, extensive reading, and consultation with other professionals. I probably spend at least 2-4 hours per week reading, watching presentations, participating in conferences. Research continues to uncover new information about OCD and treatment to help those who suffer. It is also important to hear from those who have OCD to learn from them what worked well, how they manage their symptoms and how they found freedom to live with OCD. I learn as much from those who have OCD as I do from the researchers and clinical professionals.
My therapy approach
My therapy approach to OCD begins with assessment of your symptoms to determine what it is you are struggling with - is it OCD, anxiety, depression, panic disorder? Or do you have OCD with depression (or other diagnosis)? This would be described as co-occurring disorders. I use screening tools to begin this process, your self-reported symptoms during our sessions, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale-Revised (YBOCS) and the DSM-V diagnostic criteria. Prior diagnoses from other providers is considered, but confirmed through the process I follow.
In our first sessions, I want to introduce you to the cognitive-behavioral therapy model I use, gather general information about your family and support system and learn how your OCD is affecting you. ERP and ACT build on CBT, so this is foundational to the work we will do. I want to hear what are your goals, and together we build a plan for your specific exposure/response prevention. We will be incorporating ERP and ACT throughout your work.
Presentation of OCD
OCD presents in many ways, and is often identified by the particular areas in which someone has obsessive thoughts. These include Harm OCD (intrusive thoughts of unknowingly causing harm to self or others), Taboo OCD (violent or sexual intrusive thoughts), Religious OCD, also called Scrupulosity (fear of having blasphemous thoughts or actions), Contamination OCD (fear of being contaminated or causing contamination), Somatic OCD (fear of having a disease or problem with one's body). This is not an exhaustive list but provides an idea as to the many presentations of OCD.
The resources below are a starting place to learn more from organizations dedicated to evidence-based treatment and good clinical research. Plus, see information below about the article titled Everyone Has Intrusive Thoughts. If you are a client and would like a copy of the article, please call or email me.
If you would like a jump-start on therapy, begin with Mind Over Mood to learn about Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Intro, Chapters 1, 2, 3, then the chapters on depression and anxiety are what I recommend to begin). You can find this book at the St. Louis County Library, or check your local library. The next two books, together, will bring you to a much greater understanding and includes foundational work to learn ACT and ERP. 'Getting Over OCD - A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life' (Second Edition) by Jonathan Abramowitz and 'Living Beyond OCD Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy' by Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona.
General Information on OCD
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) website https://iocdf.org/ IOCDF has many opportunities to interact with professionals and ambassadors who live with OCD through their FaceBook page. Frequent postings of meetings, vlogs, and interactive sessions can help you gain insight and knowledge. You can also go to the IOCDF videos through searching YouTube.
Intrusive Thoughts website www.intrusivethoughts.org/
Recommended Workbooks
Getting Over OCD - A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life (Second Edition) by Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD
Living Beyond OCD Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Patricia E Zurita Ona, PsyD NOTE: As of 7/19/21 I'm still reading this, but so far have found it to be a very engaging and interesting resource.
On-Line Resources
FaceBook site for IOCDF with forums for learning, asking questions and support https://www.facebook.com/IOCDF
YouTube - type in IOCDF and you will find many resources from which to choose.
Anxieties.com A section devoted to OCD. https://anxieties.com/94/ocd/
Dr. Ted Witzig is an expert in Scrupulosity from the perspective of a mental health professional and as a Christian as well as posts information about OCD in general . This link is to resources he has produced. https://www.accounseling.org/category/mentalhealth/ocd/
Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale at the Peace of Mind Foundation. https://peaceofmind.com/
Local/National Support Groups
National Website for Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous You can join open meetings across the country via Zoom https://obsessivecompulsiveanonymous.org/
St. Louis Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous Effective 4/1/21, contact Bonnie at 314-484-3419 to ask for access to the Zoom meetings during COVID. The contact information on the website is not updated. http://www.stlocdsupport.com/
Disorders Related to OCD
Information about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Muscle Dysmorphia (MD)
IOCDF website https://bdd.iocdf.org/
IOCDF website https://bdd.iocdf.org/expert-opinions/muscle-dysmorphia/
Intrusive Thoughts website www.intrusivethoughts.org/ocd-symptoms/body-dysmorphic-disorder/
Information about Hoarding Disorder
IOCDF website https://hoarding.iocdf.org/
Intrusive Thoughts website www.intrusivethoughts.org/ocd-symptoms/hoarding/
Information about Misophonia (hearing sounds that are very disturbing)
IOCDF website https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/misophonia/
Misophonia Association https://misophonia-association.org/misophonia-association.org/
Misophonia Support http://www.misophonia.com/
Misophonia Institute https://misophoniainstitute.org/
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB's)
For information about Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling), Excoriation (Skin-Picking - face, nails, anywhere) and other related disorders, go to IOCDF https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/related-disorders/
TLC Foundation for BFRB's www.bfrb.org/
Body Focused Repetitive Disorders (Skin-Picking, Hair Pulling) https://mindfulstl.com/body-focused-repetitive-behaviors-bfrbs-treatment-groups/?fbclid=IwAR1S5FXSiaUJCVWGlaVoeTWTUKBzpn1lTvlBxURMCpymdWfwQa7OobEjUpQ
Article of Interest
In the Appendix of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Adults, Jonathan S. Abramowitz and Ryan J Jacoby have a helpful resource titled Everyone Has Intrusive Thoughts. If you are a current client of mine and would like to read this, please let me know. A brief excerpt (Appendix Three, J. S. Abramowitz and R. J. Jacoby: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Adults, copyright 2015 Hogrefe Publishing):
"What many people do not realize is that practically everyone experiences unwanted intrusive thoughts (whether or not they have OCD). These sorts of thoughts are as much a part of normal human thinking as are fantasies and daydreams about positive events. The focus of this handout is to teach you that the unpleasant, distressing, repugnant, bizarre, and senseless obsessional thoughts that you are experiencing are not dangerous or abnormal."
"...people without OCD experience the same kinds of unwanted and intrusive thoughts as do people with OCD. The list below shows some examples of intrusive thoughts reported by people without OCD:
Thought of jumping off the bridge onto the highway below
Thought of running my car off the road or into oncoming traffic
Thought of poking something into my eyes
Impulses to jump onto the tracks as a train comes into the station"
The list continues quite extensively and they further describe how someone without OCD handles these thoughts versus what someone with OCD might do.
In the Appendix of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Adults, Jonathan S. Abramowitz and Ryan J Jacoby have a helpful resource titled Everyone Has Intrusive Thoughts. If you are a current client of mine and would like to read this, please let me know. A brief excerpt (Appendix Three, J. S. Abramowitz and R. J. Jacoby: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Adults, copyright 2015 Hogrefe Publishing):
"What many people do not realize is that practically everyone experiences unwanted intrusive thoughts (whether or not they have OCD). These sorts of thoughts are as much a part of normal human thinking as are fantasies and daydreams about positive events. The focus of this handout is to teach you that the unpleasant, distressing, repugnant, bizarre, and senseless obsessional thoughts that you are experiencing are not dangerous or abnormal."
"...people without OCD experience the same kinds of unwanted and intrusive thoughts as do people with OCD. The list below shows some examples of intrusive thoughts reported by people without OCD:
Thought of jumping off the bridge onto the highway below
Thought of running my car off the road or into oncoming traffic
Thought of poking something into my eyes
Impulses to jump onto the tracks as a train comes into the station"
The list continues quite extensively and they further describe how someone without OCD handles these thoughts versus what someone with OCD might do.
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