OCD Therapist
Helping People Gain Freedom from Unwanted, Intrusive Obsessions and Compulsions with OCD Therapy In New Jersey
Obsessions and Compulsions can wreak havoc on your state of mind, sometimes even making you question whether or not you can trust your thoughts. Honestly, it’s pretty impressive and unique that you have been able to function and get through life as well as you have, despite the constant torture of your intrusive thoughts and the tedious behaviors that follow.
Obsessions (repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts, ideas, or images) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or activities that aim to decrease anxiety) can become quite debilitating and taxing on your life. Sometimes, people experience obsessions and not any subsequent behaviors; this is sometimes called Pure-O OCD and can be just as troubling.
You might be confused about why this is happening, frustrated that you can’t shake it, and powerless over your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. You might sometimes question your sanity, constantly fighting with yourself about what is true and how you feel. You might feel embarrassed to open up about what you’re going through, even to family and friends. Getting help from a therapist at Roseland Psychotherapy Associates can help you talk freely about what’s bothering you and help you get to a place where your anxiety no longer bogs you down.
What are some specific challenges that OCD Therapy can help me with?
As someone experiencing symptoms of obsessions and/or compulsions, you may be feeling:
- Distressed because you recognize your thoughts or behaviors are excessive, irrational, or inappropriate
- Ashamed and embarrassed of your symptoms and how time-consuming and pervasive they can be
- Mentally fatigued because as much as you try to attain certainty, you seem to always talk yourself out of it
- Anxious or worried all of the time, always trying to figure something out or do something to relieve your mental angst
- Self-doubt, like you can’t trust your thoughts and can’t seem to find a way to make them stop for any significant amount of time
- Even if you are feeling overwhelmed with feelings like these, OCD Therapy in Roseland, New Jersey, can help.
Is it even possible to stop the thoughts and compulsions?
When it comes to OCD, you must get treatment from therapists who specialize in this area. OCD is one of the most misunderstood problems that people struggle with, and only certain types of therapy are significantly effective in treating it. Some types of treatment can worsen it, so getting the right help from the right professionals is much more critical. The good news is that OCD is very treatable, utilizing a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Mindfulness or other types of meditation can also be used as a supplement that many people find helpful to treat OCD as well.
We know that the symptoms involved with OCD can often become embarrassing and shameful, causing people to isolate or become very secretive about their problem. This can further become a source of depression, anger, and confusion. At Roseland Psychotherapy Associates, we are OCD experts and know firsthand the work involved with overcoming these torturous symptoms. You are invited to bring whatever you are experiencing to our office, where you will be welcomed without judgment and shown how to regain control of your thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
What goals will we work towards in OCD therapy in New Jersey?
Psychotherapy can provide the support you need to help you find your way towards a better life. Even if you’re feeling lost now, we can help guide you in making lasting, positive changes in your life. OCD Therapy in New Jersey can help you:
- Learn how OCD works in the brain and how to implement effective techniques that will stop it in its tracks
- Experience how to relate to your thoughts and feelings in healthy ways
- Experience and sustained relief from your OCD symptoms
- No longer feel ashamed and tormented by your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Gain control over overwhelming urges
- Find peace within your mind
- It’s possible to feel better. We have the experience to help you.
Do I even have OCD? Isn’t it just when you wash your hands 100 times daily or need everything to be perfectly neat and organized? Many people assume that OCD is either excessive hand-washing, compulsively checking door locks, or being an extreme perfectionist. While these problems can certainly qualify as OCD, there are numerous other types of OCD. Many people suffering from OCD do not even realize that they are experiencing it. While nobody likes learning that they have a diagnosis such as OCD, and while we aren’t huge fans of slapping labels on people, many of our clients are pretty relieved to find out that they aren’t just “crazy” or “weird” or “freaks” but what they are experiencing is a problem that many other people experience too. Furthermore, obsessive-compulsive tendencies and behaviors have been extensively studied and can be treated effectively with the proper interventions.
Types of OCD
Here are some specific types of OCD or variations of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders that you may be experiencing (yet these are not the only types):
Pure O OCD – Pure O stands for Purely Obsessional OCD, and up until recently, this was thought to be a type of OCD that did not have any compulsions, just t repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts, ideas, or images. We have learned, though, that Pure O is a misnomer and that compulsions occur. They are just what is called covert compulsions, meaning the compulsions take place within your mind. An example of a clandestine compulsion would be to incessantly research or seek reassurance (sometimes from others or the internet and sometimes just within your mind or body) about the validity of your thoughts. With Pure O, you may spend a lot of time thinking about how you should not be feeling certain things and analyzing why you keep getting specific thoughts, some of which may be quite at odds with your lifestyle.
Relationship OCD – experiencing unwanted, intrusive, and distressing thoughts about the quality or truthfulness of one’s love for your partner, constantly questioning if they are the right one.
Harm OCD – experiencing unwanted, intrusive, and distressing images or thoughts of causing oneself or other people harm, even though these thoughts are totally against one’s desires, beliefs, and values
Gay OCD / HOCD / Sexual Orientation OCD – Experiencing a pre-occupation with questioning whether you are gay (or questioning whether you are straight if you are homosexual), as well as experiencing intrusive, repetitive thoughts about what your “true” sexual orientation may or may not be. You may constantly ask yourself the question, “Am I gay?” or “Am I a repressed homosexual who just hasn’t come out yet?”
Perinatal / Postpartum OCD – Experiencing unwanted, terrifying, intrusive thoughts about stabbing or suffocating a newborn child, accidentally harming a child, accidentally exposing a fetus or child to toxins and chemicals that will be damaging, molesting a child, and/or fear of making a wrong decision that can lead to a severe or fatal outcome
Scrupulosity OCD / Religious OCD – Experiencing intense fear, anxiety, and guilt about not living up to one’s faith or religious ideals or morals, and that by not living up to these values, you are violating God and committing sin.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) – Experiencing a preoccupation with what you feel is a defect in your physical appearance, which can lead to avoidance, anxiety, and impaired personal or professional functioning
Hypochondria / Health Anxiety – obsessive or irrational fear of having a severe medical condition
Pedophilia OCD (pOCD) – experiencing obsessions relating to whether or not you are sexually attracted to children or if you will molest a child. You may constantly ask yourself, “Am I a pedophile?” as well as over-examine your reactions to children.
Phobias – Experiencing an intense, recurrent fear of a specific situation or object. Having to encounter or think about this situation or object causes immense anxiety and will often cause you to go to great lengths to avoid having to experience this fear. This can cause much psychological and emotional distress and sometimes interfere with daily functioning. Common phobias include claustrophobia (enclosed spaces), spiders, heights, choking, elevators, thunder and lightning, rats or mice, snakes, and needles.
This makes sense, and I could use some help with what I’m going through. How soon can I get in for an appointment?
Excellent! We can accommodate new clients within 48 hours, sometimes even the same day. Call us at (973) 226-1505 or complete an online contact form to book an appointment. All it takes is one moment to start transforming your life. We’re here for you.