THE OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE CYCLE

A key characteristic that OCD, certain OC Spectrum Disorders, and related anxiety disorders have in common is the cyclical process by which the symptoms intensify. Initially, individuals with these conditions perform compulsive or avoidant behaviors in an effort to reduce their anxiety. Unfortunately, while performing these behaviors may at first diminish the anxiety, it actually reinforces and worsens it in the long-term. This in turn leads to an increase in compulsive or avoidant behaviors, which leads to even more anxiety. While the specific thoughts and behaviors may vary with each of these disorders, this cyclical process is identical.

The following are some examples of behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety that instead serve to increase it, creating the Obsessive-Compulsive Cycle:

• Individuals with OCD may repeatedly wash their hands or check door locks in an attempt to reduce their obsessional anxiety. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Pure Obsessional OCD may excessively worry about such things as causing harm or acting sexully inappropriate. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) may compulsively check themselves in mirrors to diminish their anxiety about their appearance. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Hypochondria may repeatedly visit medical doctors in an attempt to reduce their anxiety about having an illness or disease. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Trichotillomania may compulsively pull their scalp or body hair in response to either stress or boredom. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Compulsive Skin Picking (CSP) may repeatedly pick at the skin on their face or other body parts in response to either stress or boredom. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Panic Disorder regularly avoid situations in which they fear experiencing a panic attack. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Phobias habitually avoid exposure to specific objects or situations that they fear may cause anxiety. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Social Anxiety regularly avoid certain social situations in an effort to prevent the anxiety they experience in those situations. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

• Individuals with Olfactory Reference Syndrome may regularly wear excessive amounts of perfume in an effort to diminish the anxiety they experience regarding their odor. To learn more about this condition and its treatment, click here.

In the course of going through this cyclical process, individuals become emotionally "sensitized" to specific thoughts, objects, or situations. In other words, they develop a "learned response" in which they automatically become anxious in reaction to these thoughts, objects or situations. For individuals with these conditions, this can become an escalating cycle of anxiety and compulsive or avoidant behaviors.

Research has found that the most effective treatments for OCD and these related conditions are specific types of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The primary CBT techniques used in treating these disorders are Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Imaginal Exposure, Interoceptive Exposure, Cognitive Restructuring, Meta-Cognitive Therapy, and Habit Reversal Training (HRT). For more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of OCD and these related conditions, click here.

In addition to individual therapy, the OCD Center of Los Angeles also offers five weekly, low-fee, therapy/support groups for people with OCD and these related conditions. These groups are lead by our staff therapists, and use the same treatment protocol as our individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy program. For more information on these groups, click here.

If you would like to discuss individual or group therapy for the treatment of OCD or a related condition at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, you can call us at (310) 335-5443, or click here to email us. If you live outside Southern California, we recommend that you contact a licensed Cognitive-Behavioral therapist in your local area.