Obsessive-compulsive disorder condition – CBT Kenya.

Many people have focused thoughts or repeated behaviours. For people with OCD, thoughts are persistent and behaviours are rigid and not doing them causes great distress. OCD often begins in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood; the average age symptoms appear is 19 years old.

Symptoms of OCD condition

• Harm to loved ones –  The fear is not necessarily that they will harm someone but that some type of harm will come to their loved ones. Someone may obsess over the thought that their child will get hurt in a car accident. Compulsive behaviours could be anything but are often used to prevent the harm from occurring.
• Germs and contamination – A fear of germs and a need to wash hands compulsively is often what people associate with OCD, and it is a common feature. Many people diagnosed with OCD are afraid of germs or other types of contamination and may avoid situations and activities because of this fear.
• Doubt and incompleteness – OCD can cause recurring thoughts that a person hasn’t done something correctly or completely. This type of obsessive thought usually triggers compulsive checking behaviours.
• Sin and morality – Some people worry obsessively about being immoral or sinning. They may use prayer compulsively or ask for forgiveness over and over again.
• Self-control – A fear of losing control and doing something inappropriate characterizes many individual experiences with OCD. Some people may worry about shouting something in public or harming someone, which ties into the aggressive or sexual type of obsessions.

How to deal with OCD

1. Get enough sleep – Not only can anxiety and worry cause insomnia, but a lack of sleep can also exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings. When you’re well-rested, it’s much easier to keep your emotional balance.
2. Avoid alcohol and nicotine – Alcohol temporarily reduces anxiety and worry, but it actually causes anxiety symptoms as it wears off. Smoking leads to higher, not lower, levels of anxiety and OCD symptoms.
3. Practice relaxation techniques – While stress doesn’t cause OCD, it can trigger symptoms or make them worse. Mindful meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques can help lower your overall stress and tension levels.
4. Join an OCD support group – You’re not alone in your struggle with OCD, and participating in a support group can be an effective reminder of that. OCD support groups enable you to share your own experiences and learn from others who are facing the same problems.
5. Stay connected to family and friends – Obsessions and compulsions can consume your life to the point of social isolation. In turn, social isolation will aggravate your OCD symptoms. It’s important to invest in relating to family and friends.
6. Exercise regularly – Exercise is a natural and effective anti-anxiety treatment that helps to control OCD symptoms by refocusing your mind when obsessive thoughts and compulsions arise.

CBT is an effective method for treating OCD. CBT is a type of psychotherapy talking therapy that aims to help the individual change the way they think, feel, and behave. At CBT Kenya we are located at Kims Court, Theta Lane Off Lenana Road. You can talk to us at 0739 935 333 or 0756 454 585 for more information. Visit our website and see some of the services that we offer to our clients.