Psychotherapy in Morristown, NJ

What is OCD?
OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a mental illness that affects daily thoughts and behaviors. People with OCD have consuming thoughts they can’t control and strong compulsions to repeat certain behaviors. 
This condition is often a chronic mental health disorder, usually diagnosed by age 19. Though researchers are still investigating the underlying causes of OCD, genetics, abnormalities in brain structure, and environmental factors may play a role in its development.
What are the main symptoms of OCD?
With the symptoms of OCD, you may experience obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, or a combination of both. 
Obsession
The obsession component of OCD causes repeated thoughts or urges that cause anxiety. Your obsession may include a fear of germs or the need for items to be in a certain symmetrical pattern. 
Compulsion
With compulsion, you may have strong urges to perform specific behaviors to relieve the anxiety connected to your thoughts. Some examples include repeated hand washing or rearranging the cups in your cabinet.
When you have OCD, it’s challenging to disengage from repetitive thoughts, and you can’t stop following through with your behavior. As a result, OCD causes significant distress and takes up a lot of time during the day, interfering with your other daily activities. 
What treatments can help with OCD? 
At Embracing Uncertainty Therapy & Wellness, one of the core principles is embracing the idea of not knowing what will happen. 
The primary treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP), which involves gradual exposure to distressing thoughts and situations. This type of therapy doesn’t seek to remove the stressor or trigger for your OCD but allows you to slowly confront it. Over time, the goal is to improve your response to thoughts.
Other treatments that may complement ERP include talk therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Talk therapy provides an opportunity for you to identify and understand the thoughts that make it difficult to cope with situations. 
CBT might also be helpful for reducing OCD symptoms, focusing on changing thought and behavior patterns through new coping strategies.  
Finding a path to relief from OCD isn’t an easy endeavor, but it’s possible to achieve with effective therapy and proper support. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online at Embracing Uncertainty Therapy and Wellness for compassionate care today.