What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by two interconnected aspects, namely obsessions and compulsions. A person with OCD may have unwanted thoughts or urges (obsessions) or may perform certain rituals over and over again (compulsions). People with OCD may have both obsessions and compulsions.
OCD can cause significant distress for those affected, interfering with their daily lives. When the intrusive thoughts or obsessions become too hard to cope with, individuals may be forced to act on their thoughts to satisfy their compulsions. This might provide them with temporary relief before the same thoughts and obsessions begin to resurface. OCD is, hence, a vicious cycle that can be hard to escape from.
Therapy, self-care, lifestyle changes, and medications can help people manage OCD symptoms and recover.
Signs of OCD
OCD symptoms have two aspects: obsessions and compulsions. While OCD usually includes both obsessions and compulsions, some people might experience symptoms of only one aspect.
Symptoms of obsessions:
Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts that cause stress and anxiety. Even when people realize the thoughts are excessive, they cannot logically talk themselves out of it.
Common obsessions include:
- Fear of germs and contamination.
- Disturbing sexual thoughts.
- Religious fears and thoughts.
- Fear of being harmed.
- Aggressive thoughts.
- Uncertainty leading to stress.
- Need for things to be aligned and ordered.
- Fear of making a mistake.
- Constant doubts.
- Fear of losing things.
- Need for constant reassurance.
- Fear around relationships.
Symptoms of compulsions:
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that people with OCD do due to obsessive thoughts. The actions are done to alleviate the stress caused by the obsessions. These behaviors are generally excessive and all-consuming.
Common compulsions include:
- Constant need for approval.
- Constantly checking to see if things are locked or off.
- Excessive ordering of things.
- Rituals related to numbers like counting, doing certain sets of actions, etc.
- Ritualistic and excessive cleanliness.
- Avoiding certain things and places.
- Habits like constant such as tapping, touching, or checking.
- Following a strict routine.
Causes and risk factors of OCD
While the exact causes of OCD are unknown, some risk factors include:
- Biological predisposition
- Environmental factors
- Genetics
- Family history
- Mental health issues like anxiety
- Stressful events
- Childhood trauma
OCD Treatment in Abu Dhabi & Dubai
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be treated with psychotherapy (talk therapy), medications, or a mix of both treatments. Antidepressants, most notably selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Fluoxetine, are widely used as a first-line treatment for OCD and other mental disorders. They work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Talk therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), has also been found to be effective in helping individuals better understand their compulsions and repetitive behaviors, equipping them with the right tools to deal with them in a positive way. To get OCD treatment in Dubai through online talk sessions with licensed providers you can try Counsel Clinic.
OCD treatment plays a vital role in managing the symptoms to help individuals recover. OCD treatment Dubai can be composed of medication, psychotherapy, or both.
If you are outside Dubai, you can also explore our online services for OCD treatment in Abu Dhabi and other areas in UAE.
Medication
The main type of medication used for OCD treatment is antidepressants, specifically SSRIs. These work by increasing serotonin levels and thus improving the symptoms of OCD. However, the discontinuing the medication can lead to relapse.
Psychotherapy
OCD therapy in Abu Dhabi can utilize different methods. These include:
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of therapy helps in breaking down the problematic thought patterns and the consequent behaviors. In CBT, exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an often relied upon technique. In ERP, people are exposed to situations that cause obsessive thoughts, without them then performing the compulsions. This helps in reducing the fear and thus OCD symptoms.
OCD therapy treatment Abu Dhabi is highly effective in managing OCD symptoms and can lead to a better quality of life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT focuses on accepting obsessive thoughts instead of fighting them. Acceptance helps in breaking the hold of persistent thoughts. People then learn to respond to their thoughts as per their belief system.
Habit Reversal Training
HRT helps manage the compulsions by increasing awareness of the triggers and developing a healthier, competing response to break the typical cycle of OCD.
Other interventions for OCD
Alongside OCD therapy, other interventions can be of help. These include:
Yoga
There has been evidence of yoga helping with OCD symptoms. It also helps people calm down and thus is effective in decreasing anxiety levels.
Support groups
Support groups are effective because they provide people with help and a safe space to discuss their issues. They can also learn coping strategies from people with similar struggles.
Mindfulness techniques
Mindfulness techniques can aid in reducing the severity of obsessive thoughts. It allows for non-judgmental awareness of the thoughts, which helps reduced their intensity. People thus learn to view the obsessive thoughts calmly, without following through with the compulsions.
Self-care
Since OCD can be hard and disruptive, practicing self-care can help mitigate its negative impacts on the self. It also helps in improving certain symptoms like stress. So, be sure to eat well, get plenty of sleep, practice relaxation techniques, do regular exercise, and spend quality time with your loved ones.
How to get OCD therapy Abu Dhabi and Dubai?
According to a study, the worldwide prevalence of OCD stands at approximately 2% of the general population, making it a significant issue. Given how disruptive OCD can be, it is essential for anyone experiencing the symptoms to consult an expert and seek OCD therapy in Dubai.
Counsel Clinic provides affordable and private OCD therapy Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as throughout the UAE.
Our certified and experienced therapists are trained in identifying OCD triggers and helping clients develop effective coping mechanisms to manage their symptoms. We encourage you to book a session with any of the therapists from the list above to further explore our OCD treatment services in Dubai.
