Nov 15, 2024
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a mental health issue that affects around 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 200 children. Classified as an anxiety disorder, OCD is a mental health disorder that usually requires treatment, either therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Facing OCD is hard enough without trying to find a qualified OCD therapist near you.
Lifebulb makes finding an OCD therapist in New Jersey easy. We have nearly a hundred therapists in New Jersey who specialize in OCD.
Wondering if you could benefit from OCD therapy in New Jersey? Read on to learn more about obsessive-compulsive disorder and how OCD treatment can help you.
What is OCD?
OCD is short for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and is an anxiety disorder that is marked by intrusive thoughts and compulsions (behaviors) that attempt to manage the thoughts.
An intrusive thought is a persistent, unwelcome idea or image that can cause distress or anxiety. These thoughts often feel out of one's control and may not align with one's true beliefs or values. Although intrusive thoughts can be violent in nature, they do not mean you are a violent person or that your subconscious is somehow violent. They are intrusive, unwanted, and not a reflection of who you are.
Common categories of OCD intrusive thoughts include, but are not limited to:
- Fear of harm: Thoughts about being hurt or accidentally hurting others.
- Unwanted impulses: Urges to do something harmful or socially unacceptable.
- Disturbing imagery: Vivid mental pictures of violence, accidents, or taboo scenarios.
- Inappropriate thoughts: Sexual, blasphemous, or aggressive ideas that do not align with one's values.
- Perfectionism: Preoccupation with order, symmetry, or cleanliness, leading to distress if not achieved.
A compulsion is how our minds try to deal with intrusive thoughts. An OCD compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act that individuals feel driven to perform in response to an obsessive thought. These compulsions are often aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing perceived harm but can become distressing and time-consuming.
Examples of compulsions include:
- Checking Compulsions: Repeatedly checking things like locks, appliances, or switches.
- Cleaning Compulsions: Excessive washing or cleaning rituals to alleviate anxiety about germs or contamination.
- Repeating Compulsions: Needing to repeat words, actions, or routines a certain number of times for reassurance.
- Counting Compulsions: Counting items, steps, or objects repeatedly to reduce anxiety or prevent harm.
- Ordering/Arranging Compulsions: Needing things to be arranged in a specific way or precise order.
- Hoarding Compulsions: Collecting or saving items that have little or no value due to fear of needing them later.
This is not a complete list. Although these are some of the more common OCD intrusive thoughts and compulsions, they do not fully reflect the spectrum of OCD symptoms.
Both intrusive thoughts and compulsions must be present for an OCD diagnosis to be given. Like other mental health conditions, OCD is a spectrum. Some people have mild OCD symptoms that annoy or distress them but do not interfere with daily functioning, and others may have severe OCD symptoms that make it difficult to even leave the house. OCD therapy in New Jersey can help with everything from mild to severe OCD.
OCD Treatment in New Jersey
OCD treatment is usually a combination of talk therapy (also called psychotherapy), medication, and lifestyle changes. Medication for OCD may not be needed if you respond well to therapy or have mild to moderate OCD. If you’d like to pursue medication for OCD, talk to a psychiatrist near you.
The most common approach to handling OCD is therapy. Therapists who specialize in OCD can be found all over New Jersey, but it’s important to find one that’s right for you. Look for a therapist that specializes in one of these modalities. They are proven to be effective at treating OCD.
The two most common and evidence-based approaches to OCD treatment are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT can be helpful in identifying OCD intrusive thoughts and compulsions. What might feel “crazy” to you is actually just a symptom of your OCD, and it can go a long way in the acceptance and eventual healing of OCD to recognize this. CBT will teach you to identify intrusive thoughts and compulsions and label them as false and not a reflection of who you are or the truth of your situation.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): A very effective treatment for OCD, exposure and response prevention has you experience your obsession but not engage in the following compulsion. For example, for someone with a Cleaning Compulsion, touching a door knob and not engaging in a cleaning ritual. This technique has the potential to be very intense, so guidance under a certified therapist is recommended.
Often these treatments are used together along with medication prescribed by a psychiatrist to strengthen the positive effects.
How to Find an OCD Therapist Near Me
Finding an OCD therapist that fits your needs and goals is paramount to your healing. It’s not just important to find someone who specializes in OCD therapy. It’s also important to find someone who you trust. This could mean finding someone with similar beliefs or background to you.
A good way to find OCD therapists near you is by using online directories. Psychology Today has one of the largest therapy directories, but you can also use local ones. Lifebulb Counseling and Therapy offers virtual OCD therapy throughout New Jersey. You can browse our New Jersey OCD therapists using our therapist filter.
When using a therapy filter, try to keep in mind what is important to you. Is age or gender important? Or are you more focused on finding someone with the most experience or the most relevant training? Knowing this will help you narrow down what therapist is right for you.
Once you find a therapist, try to be consistent with therapy. Once a week or once every other week for around 12 weeks is recommended for CBT-based therapies, like OCD treatment usually is. Researchers find 8-12 sessions of therapy is, on average, how long it takes for a person to start feeling better on their own.
This is highly variable, however, and everyone progresses at their own pace.
To schedule a session with a Lifebulb OCD therapist, call our team or browse our list of therapists in New Jersey. We are excited to meet you and begin a journey of healing together.
