Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects a number of people throughout the world though it can impact heavily on day to day life, affecting our ability to function at home, at work, and in our relationships.
OCD therapy in Newcastle Psychologist & Counselling’s clinic can help you overcome your difficulties with OCD, and help you find ways to cope effectively that improve their quality of life.
There are a number of issues that can come up with OCD – here are some common difficulties that can arise with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Feelings of Shame
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can cause feelings of shame due to worries about the opinions of others which lead to the sufferer being more judgemental towards themselves.
Unfortunately, shame often makes OCD worse, and can also cause further anxiety (or even depression) due to the impact it can have on the way the person feels about themselves and the extra stress that shame can cause.
That’s why relating to yourself more compassionately (using approaches such as Compassion Focused Therapy, or CFT), even in the face of OCD, can make a huge difference.
By working with our trained and experienced OCD therapists at Newcastle Psychologist and Counselling, you can learn to treat yourself with more compassion and kindness to combat feelings of shame, as well as deal with your symptoms of OCD.
Living in “Survival Mode” – Not Feeling Safe
Your brain wants to protect you from harm and potential threats to your survival and, as a result, it creates anxiety as a way of alerting you to perceived threats and as a way of encouraging you to avoid danger.
The compulsions and behaviours that often occur with OCD are therefore often the brain’s attempt to neutralise these overwhelming feelings of anxiety and make it go away.
Though behaviours such as repeated checking, movements, or actions happen because of anxiety that something bad could happen if you don’t engage with them, these behaviours can cause problems with leaving the house, getting things done, and/or conflict with others due to frustration.
Our trained and experienced OCD therapists in Newcastle (who also offer online therapy if your have difficulties attending our clinic) can help you to manage your OCD symptoms and break the habits that survival mode can cause, helping you function better in day to day life.
Constant Doubt, Uncertainty & Intrusive Thoughts
Often given the nickname of the “doubting disorder”, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can also erode your self-confidence due to the constant doubt that OCD can cause.
For some people, this uncertainty and fear can be so overwhelming that the various habits and repeated behaviour are constantly acted out to try to avoid the perceived problem from happening, or to help them feel more certain that everything will be alright.
On top of this, some people also experience intrusive thoughts that lead to further distress, particularly if they relate to thoughts of harming themselves or others, or behaviours that they find shameful or taboo.
Approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) can help you overcome intrusive thoughts and reduce the feelings of guilt, shame and anxiety that often come with them.
Contact Us for Help with OCD in Newcastle or Online
The symptoms of OCD can lessen and become more manageable when you get the right help.
Our team of experienced OCD psychologists and OCD counsellors in Newcastle can help you overcome your difficulties whether you see them face-to-face or online.
Don’t delay your recovery – contact us about OCD therapy in Newcastle today. Fill in the contact form below or contact us on 07966645198 to start your journey into life without OCD.
Best wishes,
Dr Stuart Sadler
Lead Clinical Psychologist
