![]() ![]() Someone with OCD experiences obsessions, which are repetitive, unwanted thoughts and irrational urges to do specific things or repeat particular actions. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental illness characterized by two distinct sets of symptoms obsessions and compulsions. If you find you obsess about intrusive thoughts or must “do things” (such as tasks or rituals) to make them go away, it may suggest a more profound, underlying mental health challenge such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. ![]() Intrusive thoughts can consist of random or illogical images or disturbing or violent ideas like hurting yourself or someone else. So why do they happen to you? These thoughts are called “intrusive thoughts,” and virtually everyone experiences them at some point. You don’t want to have these persistent, uncomfortable thoughts. But other times, despite your best efforts, it keeps popping up. Often, Harm OCD is confused with “Pure OCD” since most compulsions that accompany Harm OCD go unnoticed by others.Can you remember the last time you had an unwanted thought or unpleasant image stuck in your head? You can often ignore it, and soon after, it goes away. Fear that one day they’ll go unconscious and cause harm without even knowing.Fear of commit suicide before hurting someone.Fear of committing an impulse like stabbing or killing someone”.Fear that one day they will snap and hurt a loved one or themselves.Unfortunately, this avoidance, as a compulsion, strengthens and reinforces the vicious cycle of OCD. This avoidance becomes a coping mechanism that the person believes is necessary to keep themselves and others safe. As a result, individuals suffering from Harm OCD will usually leave the situation or avoid the person or situation that triggers these thoughts. These obsessional thoughts create incredible distress and leave someone suffering from Harm OCD doubting whether or not they want to act out these violent thoughts they are having. Those suffering from Harm OCD experience intrusive thoughts or mental imagery of violence towards themselves or others. OCD symptoms typically worsen over time and can take over a person’s life, so it is very important to seek OCD treatment as soon as possible with a skilled and dedicated OCD specialist who can provide expertise and support during this journey.Ī typical symptom of Harm OCD is the fear of hurting oneself or one’s loved ones. The Gateway Institute offers Intensive Outpatient treatment options as well as regular outpatient psychotherapy sessions, and a free, 30 minute face-to-face consultation with one of our experienced and caring clinicians at all three of our beautiful locations in Orange County, Scottsdale, Arizona, and the San Francisco Bay Area. ![]() If patients are suffering from severe levels of anxiety due to their OCD, they may benefit from participating in treatment at an Intensive Outpatient (IOP) OCD treatment program, as is offered by The Gateway Institute. Once they are able to stop themselves from responding to their intrusive thoughts with compulsive behaviors, they can experience tremendous relief from the symptoms of OCD. The situations that are confronted will intensify over time, until the patient can face and overcome their most feared scenario. The goal of this treatment is for the patient to prevent himself or herself from completing their compulsive behaviors when triggered by intrusive thoughts. Mindfulness-Based CBT is a very effective OCD treatment, especially when combined with ERP.ĮRP exposes patients to situations related to their intrusive thoughts that cause them anxiety. Individuals will also learn that intrusive thoughts have no power over them and that by responding to their thoughts through compulsive behaviors, their thoughts are given more strength and credibility and their fears and obsessions are strengthened and reinforced. Mindful-Based CBT teaches patients that everyone experiences intrusive thoughts. Like all types of OCD, Harm OCD can be treated with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically with treatment approaches called Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. OCD specialists are equipped and prepared to treat a wide array of OCD subtypes, including Harm OCD. People suffering from Harm OCD are encouraged to seek treatment from a mental health treatment provider that specializes in the treatment of OCD. ![]()
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