Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Laura’s Pain Points

In her early 20s, Laura began worrying uncontrollably and taking steps to prevent bad things from happening. Her worries included not only her health, career, and keeping things orderly, but also things that others considered trivial such as what brand of soap to buy.

She also worried about having negative thoughts because she felt they would become true if she didn’t do something about them. She always worked extra hours because she checked her work several times to ensure she made no errors.

Laura had been dating for years, and each person she dated had flaws that made them not a good fit for her, so she broke up with them. Later she wondered why she broke up with people with whom she genuinely enjoyed spending time.

Other times, she would be scared people did not love her anymore even though they said they did. She had many fears, images, and thoughts that made her feel bad about herself, her future, and how she could harm others. She spent a lot of time doing things to prevent this from coming true.

Laura didn’t know she suffered from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Laura had been in therapy several times. She had been treated for different challenges in the past, including anxiety. Talking to her therapist about her worries only helped momentarily. Her worries were about the things she cared for the most, so they made sense.

Laura didn’t know she suffered from OCD and her brain was wired to care for and prevent harm, so she got hooked on distressing thoughts she could not let go of. She didn;t know she needed to learn to handle these thoughts instead of trying to prevent them so she could enjoy life.

She knew she was exhausted, scared, tired of feeling isolated, like a bad person, and worried. Laura needed Exposure Response Prevention treatment.

Ways in which OCD can show up.

When we think about OCD, we usually picture someone afraid of germs compulsively washing their hands or someone who wants everything orderly and clean. Yes, contamination OCD and order and symmetry OCD exist. AND many OCD subtypes can be less obvious.

There is harm OCD, perfectionism OCD, sexual orientation OCD, religion and spirituality OCD, suicidal OCD, existential OCD, magical thinking OCD, and relationship OCD. Other subtypes might horrify you, like pedophilic obsessions, health concerns, and postpartum OCD.

I won’t bore you with a forever list of definitions and examples. What I want you to ask yourself is:

“Am I (or my loved one) terrified about something bad happening if I don’t figure it out or take a specific action to prevent harm? Does this stress me so much that it robs me of my time, energy, joy, and social/family life? Do I need reassurance that what I fear won’t happen?”

If yes, do not assume you have OCD. Let’s talk briefly and determine if an evaluation is a good route for you.

Laura needed Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to treat OCD.

Back to Laura. Yes. She needed ERP to finally get a grip on that anxiety. Avoiding the things that made her scared (which were many) was robbing her of living life. Not knowing how to stop racing thoughts was perpetuating the anxiety.

Through ERP, she learned how not to ruminate or compulse. She gained the knowledge and skills necessary to handle OCD. She gained her time and relationships back. She became skilled at recognizing OCD thoughts, so instead of being consumed by anxiety, she knew what to do when they came.

She also found, in Andrea Godinez, a therapist who was able to honor her experience, as a whole human, beyond OCD obsessions and compulsions. Her therapist was able to acknowledge that her past and systemic oppression could impact her experience with OCD.

Be like Laura and call me!

Getting an accurate OCD diagnosis (if you have it) can be life-changing. You can realize that you are not a bad person intending to do bad things and that your future isn’t doomed.

You can learn how your brain works and how to respond in beneficial ways. Stop spending years drawing in anxiety, depression, guilt, and shame.

No matter what your specific thoughts tell you, I can empathize. I won’t judge you, no matter how irrational or scary your thoughts seem to others.

Let’s be on the same team and confront OCD so you can finally start living life freely.