Our Gold Coast psychologists are experienced in treating Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and use a variety of evidence based approaches to support individual needs
PSYCHOLOGY GOLD COAST - OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
WHAT IS OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder characterised by obsessive (repetitive, distressing, and intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) that attempt to neutralise the obsessions.
Obsessions are defined as recurring and persistent thoughts or impulses that are perceived as intrusive and inappropriate at some point during the disturbance and cause significant anxiety or distress. With another thought or action, the person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts or impulses.
Compulsions are defined as repetitive behaviours or mental acts that a person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession or in accordance with rigid rules. These behaviours are intended to prevent or reduce distress or to avoid some dreaded event or situation. However, these behaviours are either not realistically related to what they are intended to prevent or are clearly excessive.
Alterations in dopamine, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter systems as well as serotonin neurotransmission are associated with ritualistic instinctual behaviours, with dysfunction of these pathways contributing to OCD.
WHAT DOES OCD LOOK LIKE?
OCD can manifest in many different ways for each individual. You may identify with one or a combination of these different presentations
- Thoughts of contamination, giving rise to repeated and ritualised hand washing, showering or grooming
- Thoughts of having forgotten something, causing time-consuming repeated checking
- Aggressive fears of harming self or others
- Hoarding or saving rituals
- Religious obsessions, with concerns about sacrilege, blasphemy and/or morality
- Need for symmetry/exactness
- Somatic obsessions focussed on appearance/body image or concern for illness
- Checking obsessions, including checking locks, stove, appliances etc.
- Counting rituals
- Ordering/arranging rituals
- Repeating rituals including re-reading, re-writing or routine activities such as entering through a door in a specific way
WHAT CAN CAUSE OCD?
There are a number of key drivers that can contribute to the incidence of OCD, including the following
- Stress – psychological or physiological (ref)
- Stressors or traumas that occurred during childhood
- Glutamate / GABA imbalance (ref)
- Micronutrient deficiencies
- Family history of anxiety and/or depression
- Personal history of anxiety and/or depression – OCD often occurs in people who have other anxiety disorders, depression, Tourette syndrome, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders and personality disorders.
- Abuse of stimulants such as amphetamine and cocaine
- Gonadal hormone imbalance (ref)
- Thyroid dysfunction (ref)
- Heavy metal exposure (in particular lead and cadmium) (ref)
- Brain trauma (ref)
- Birth hypoxia (ref)
- Pregnancy and postpartum
At The Wellness Emporium our psychologists and naturopaths work independently or if you choose collaboratively to formulate a comprehensive and holistic treatment plan to help get you the results you want.