You might have read in the introduction that CBT was invented by a psychiatrist known as Aaron Beck in 1960. It is widely used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, etc. In this blog series, you will learn about self-help CBT techniques for OCD. This is also available as a Kindle and hard copy book. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, also known as CBT, has two components. THE COGNITIVE THERAPY part of the Therapy targets THOUGHTS (OBSESSIONS), and the BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY part of the Therapy targets BEHAVIOURS. In the case of OCD, the thoughts are known as OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS, which are treated by the cognitive aspect of the Therapy and BEHAVIOURS are known as COMPULSIONS, which are targeted by the BEHAVIOURAL ASPECT of the CBT therapy. Before plunging into the treatment, we will learn technical terms you can understand easily.
To define OBSESSIONS or OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS, these are intrusive, repetitive and unwanted. COMPULSIONS are BEHAVIOURS, actions performed in response to the OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS. COMPULSIONS can be both in action or as thoughts. Examples of actions of compulsions include counting, praying, and checking. MENTAL COMPULSIONS include neutralising thoughts to counteract the distressing OBSESSIVE THOUGHT. Compulsions are aimed to reduce the anxiety in the short term by the patient. However, this is only short-lived. In the long term, repeated compulsions in response to obsessive thoughts will lead to the worsening of the disorder. This is where a Therapy like CBT will help you. AVOIDANCE is also a term that is used in CBT. AVOIDANCE means trying to avoid the triggering and distressing situations which may bring about obsessive thoughts and ensuing compulsive rituals.
To recap, OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS are intrusive and repetitive. They can take the form of images, words or life-like recordings. They have a quality of repetitive doubts and the need for certainty. These thoughts can be very embarrassing and evoke extreme guilt. There is an urge to ensure the obsessive thought has not occurred. These thoughts have no logic, and they may worsen when resisted. Now, do this exercise to understand the nature of OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS. DO NOT, PLEASE DO NOT think of a pink hippopotamus. Note the first image in your mind. Is it a pink hippopotamus? Can you now understand why obsessive thoughts get worse when resisted?
COMPULSIONS are actions which can be MENTAL or PHYSICAL. COMPULSIONS are performed to “set the obsessive thought right”. An example of a mental compulsion would include thinking of a neutralising thought which may be considered positive, such as the temple, in response to an obsessive thought about the urge to swear.
Physical compulsions might include checking, washing and counting. Over some time, repetitive compulsions in response to obsessive thoughts will lead to a worsening of the cycle of obsession and compulsion. This set of blogs will help you kick-start your self-help journey towards CBT Therapy for OCD. Chennai Minds, The best Psychiatric Hospital in Chennai on an outpatient basis, aims to maximise the comfort of a person’s treatment at home. We offer OCD Treatment in Chennai and online counselling for depression too.
