OCD and BFRBs

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OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, involves having obsessive thinking patterns that can include unwanted thoughts, images or urges that make a person feel anxious or distressed.

Individuals who have OCD often have significant difficulty pushing away or ignoring these thoughts. Those with OCD also have compulsive behaviors which are an attempt to reverse the obsessive thoughts or urges by performing some sort of action.

Common signs, according to the Mayo Clinic, of OCD are:

  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Constant checking
  • Constant counting
  • The repeated cleaning of one or more items
  • Constantly checking the stove or door locks
  • Fear of contamination
  • Hoarding
  • Thoughts that you might be harmed
  • Thoughts that you might cause others harm

OCD can be exhausting, but it is quite treatable with the right modality! Traditional talk therapy is not effective in treating OCD. It requires specialized training.  The most effective treatment is ERP, an Exposure and Ritual Prevention therapy. It is the gold standard according to the International OCD Foundation and The Whitted Group utilizes ERP regularly.

As licensed mental health professionals, we have extensive training in helping patients recover from debilitating OCD symptoms. We offer ERP in office, but also in the home setting when warranted for en vivo ERP therapy. OCD does not get to rule your life and exhaust you! Contact us today to take your life back from OCD.

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)

Some women find that they have a habit of pulling out hair and picking skin excessively. These are actually medical conditions called Trichotillomania and Skin Excoriation Disorder (or Dermatillomania). These compulsive behaviors can be problematic as they can lead to bald spots, bleeding cuticles, and/or scabs and skin infections.

Indy Women’s Counseling and DBT offers HRT and ComB treatments that can allow you to get free of or lessen these problematic behaviors. If you have been struggling with shame associated with these compulsive BFRBs, we are here to help. Contact us today to get started and get free!