Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD Therapy in Arizona
What is OCD?
OCD stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and is characterized by being caught in a cycle of obsessions (intrusive thoughts, images, etc. that create fear) and compulsions (actions taken that attempt to reduce said fear), usually in response to a trigger. Typically, compulsions will offer short-term relief, but not completely resolve the obsessive pattern of thinking, and if left untreated, may get worse over time.
Compulsions and the obsessions that drive them can take many forms. While some OCD patterns can include excessive cleaning, handwashing, or re-doing tasks until it feels "just right," other forms of OCD occur only in the mind, with severe rumination but no external signs. (This is sometimes referred to as "Pure O" OCD.)
How is OCD Diagnosed?
OCD is diagnosed when you present with the following symptoms:
Obsessions and/or compulsions
Spending an hour or more per day engaging with obsessions/compulsions
Experiencing significant distress from obsessions/compulsions, often creating additional challenges functioning in setting such as school or work
There are additionally measures that can be used to assess OCD's severity and it's progress including The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Inferential Confusion Questionnaire (ICQ-EV), which can both be used periodically to measure initial severity and treatment progress.
What is the Best Therapy for OCD?
There are several evidence-based treatments for OCD that help to resolve different parts of the OCD cycle.
Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral therapy (I-CBT) is often used when the source of OCD comes from deeply held fears and beliefs that can feel true to the person experiencing them (e.g. if I get sick, I will bring it home to my family and someone will become so ill they are hospitalized).
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is often used when a person needs to support in tolerating distress and preventing the compulsive response from their OCD (e.g. tolerating the distress of not washing your hands after touching a household doorknob)
While these are treatments made specifically for OCD, other concerns and goals of the individual might necessitate additional supplementary treatments as part of therapy. These often include mindfulness-based and acceptance practices, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or working toward skills building to manage executive functioning for those with co-occurring ADHD or Autism.
Frequently Asked Questions - OCD
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Yes, OCD is different from these other conditions, even though stress and anxiety are present in all three.
Anxiety disorders tend to be more general and not be associated with intrusive images or triggers, while Specific Phobias often do not cause intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors.
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Sometimes, but care needs to be taken to differentiate between the two to avoid treating a behavior that ultimately isn't a problem.
For example, Autistic individuals often engage in repetitive behaviors and routines, but that does not mean they find those behaviors distressing.
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While each situation is different, there can be some relationship between OCD and trauma. More specifically, OCD can sometimes follow a traumatic event, or develop concurrently along side PTSD. When this happens, treatment for both the OCD and the trauma are needed, as resolving one does not necessarily resolve the other.
For example, OCD might be treated with I-CBT, whereas PTSD would be treated using EMDR.
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OCD is considered to be a chronic and cyclical condition, meaning it will typically come and go in waves throughout a person's life. However, it is possible for OCD to go into remission successfully, with many people who have received treatment feeling they are fully recovered.
To support remission and recovery, what is typically needed is for OCD-specific tools to be used and applied by a person throughout their life, so that when OCD tendencies arise in the future, they are able to address them quickly and appropriately.
Online OCD Therapist in Arizona
This is where I write a little blurb about me, my practice and where I'm located, so Google knows how to find my webpage and show it to people who are looking for help.
My name is Alessia Kosta and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that practices individual therapy in the state of Arizona. I am a fully online therapist with extensive training in treating trauma and neurodivergence, and the many other mental health concerns these populations experience (like OCD)
If you're interested in working together, have more questions, or want to schedule a free consultation, feel free to reach out! I'm always happy to chat and answer any questions you may have.