OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that causes unwanted thoughts that can be very difficult to control. It’s like having a song stuck in your head that you can’t seem to shake, only instead of music, your mind is consumed by thoughts that play over and over. To stop the thoughts, a person with OCD has to perform tasks or behaviors related to the thoughts, sometimes repeatedly. For example, a person with OCD might have a strong fear of someone breaking into their home, causing them to check and recheck locks before they can leave their home or go to bed at night.

Christian Counseling for OCD: A Success Story

Will’s Story Part 1
Will was known for being a perfectionist. His entire house was the perfect picture of cleanliness and order. His friends often teased him for being such a “neat freak.” Will sat with his best friend, watching a game on television.

Did you see that throw?! Hey, Will!

Will didn’t hear him. He was focused on a crooked picture hanging on his living room wall.

“It’s okay, Will,” he thought to himself. “Just leave it. Focus on the game.” He tried to watch the game, but his attention kept veering to the crooked picture. He twiddled his fingers, bounced his legs, and became increasingly aggravated.

“Fix the picture, Will.” his friend said jokingly.

Immediately Will sprang up and painstakingly tilted the picture back and forth until it was just right.

It might not be a picture; it might be your hair, dirt on a carpet, or a smudge on a window. If you can relate to Will in any way, then you might suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Living with OCD can be very difficult because the negative thoughts can be so severe that they impede your ability to live fully. Other times, people with OCD are very functional, but are aware that their obsessive nature is abnormal or unhealthy. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, our hope is to help people like you gain control with Christian counseling for OCD.

OCD symptoms include:

ObsessionsObsessions include any repeated, unwanted thoughts, ideas, or impulses that you are unable to control. The object of your obsession can get in the way of your normal thoughts and often creates extreme anxiety or fear. The thoughts can be anything that cause excessive worry such as:

• A strong need to do things perfectly.
• Fear of getting dirty, germs, or sickness.
• Worry over the thoughts and motivations of others.
• Fear of harming yourself or others.
• Obsessively ruminating over things like relationship issues.

Compulsions are the behaviors you repeat in attempts to control the obsessions. Often these actions are ritualistic, while others are complex but changing. Examples of compulsive behaviors include:

• Washing or checking that something has been done correctly.
• Counting, often while performing a related action.
• Frequently moving or organizing items to keep them in perfect order.
• Hoarding.

The exact cause of obsessive compulsive disorder isn’t known. Research suggests that there might be a connection between OCD and a problem with how the brain sends and receives information. A deficiency in the brain chemical serotonin might also contribute to OCD symptoms. Additionally, some experts believe that an illness such as strep throat and scarlet fever can suddenly bring on OCD or exacerbate the symptoms in some children.

There is much yet to be learned about OCD, but there is help available to you. Through Christian counseling for OCD, our goal is to show those who suffer with OCD that they are not alone and there is hope. Through dedication and faith, you can reclaim a life lost to OCD.

When to Get Help for OCD

OCD varies in severity. Some people have minor symptoms, such as a need to make sure all electronics are unplugged before they leave their home or worrying obsessively over minor issues. It might feel like your brain gets stuck on something and you cannot easily move forward. Others are more severe and impede the person’s ability to function. No matter how severe or minor you feel your OCD symptoms to be, if they stand in the way of living fully or cause you anxiety and stress, then you can benefit from Christian counseling for OCD.

Do I Have OCD?

If you suffer from OCD, you’re not as alone as you might think. As of 2015, approximately 1 in 40 adults in the U.S. and 1 in 100 children have this condition.

Diagnosing obsessive-compulsive disorder is based on an evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, and possibly a physical exam and mental health assessment. If you wonder whether you or a loved one suffers from OCD, consider the following questions:

• Do you have repeated, anxiety provoking thoughts that won’t go away?
• Do you wash your hands frequently or keep things ordered in a very particular way?
• Do you excessively check or count things?
• Do you feel you have obsessions that are “in your head” and don’t make sense?

Many people struggle with OCD for years, or even their entire lives without seeking help because they are embarrassed or scared to talk about their symptoms. Our compassionate counselors are here for you to offer support and help without judgment.

Will’s Story Part 2
Will’s obsessive need for control could be difficult at times. Some days he spent hours cleaning his home, grooming himself, and organizing. Seemingly harmless, his obsessive nature often kept him from enjoying other things. Whether it was because he didn’t want a mess, or he didn’t have the time, Will often missed out on life. Relationships were especially hard for him because he was too embarrassed to explain his OCD symptoms to others, and they often found getting along with him difficult.

Will became tired of isolating himself and decided that it was time to get help. Will hoped Christian counseling for OCD would help him understand his overwhelming need for order and show him how to fight against the nagging anxiety.

Christian counseling for OCD offers hope to those who feel consumed by a life with obsessive compulsive disorder. If you or a loved one lives with OCD, now is the time to take back your life. Tacoma Christian Counseling offers effective treatment for managing your symptoms.

Living with obsessive compulsive disorder is challenging, to say the least. Our team of compassionate Christian counselors is ready to help you gain control of your life with Christian counseling for OCD. Here are some of the many reasons to choose Tacoma Christian Counseling:

• Experience you can trust – Tacoma Christian Counseling has provided expert Christian counseling services for people in Tacoma and surrounding areas for over 10 years.
• Safety and support – One of our primary goals for all OCD sufferers is to ensure that you feel as secure as possible. We offer compassionate, confidential support while helping you gain control of your OCD symptoms at your own pace.
• Christian values – One of the key things that sets Tacoma Christian Counseling apart from other providers is our faith-based approach toward healing. We believe in the healing power of Christ, and we welcome prayer and scriptural guidance, to the level you are comfortable.

What Christian Counseling for OCD can do for You

The main goals at Tacoma Christian Counseling are to help people move from darkness towards the light of Jesus Christ. Through faith, we are promised release from bondage. We believe that includes help for those who suffer with OCD.
Benefits of Christian counseling as treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder include:

• Helping you to better understand your OCD symptoms.
• Offering support and a non-judgmental space for exploring your thoughts and emotions.
• Finding ways to better manage your OCD symptoms so they no longer keep you from the life you want.
• Learning how to talk to loved ones about OCD as well as support for how your symptoms affect your relationships.
• Providing you with hope, inner peace, and healing through faith in Christ.

Will’s Story Part 3
Christian counseling for OCD wasn’t always easy. Little by little, Will learned to let go. It was liberating! He spent more time focusing on hobbies and friends and even began to date. Through Christian counseling, Will learned that some of his symptoms stemmed from childhood trauma which left him feeling out of control and fearful. To compensate, Will started controlling his environment the only way he knew how. His counselor helped him better control his obsessions and compulsions so that he could live a more fulfilling life and let others into his world without fear.

The journey of battling OCD can be hard, but with determination and faith you can learn to quiet your mind and focus on building the life you want.

Counseling Approaches for OCD

The goals of Christian counseling for OCD are to decrease your symptoms and reverse their effects on your life and relationships. Sometimes, people with OCD suffer from other conditions such as depression or chemical dependency. In these instances, the counselor will address these concerns as well.

As for counseling approach, the most effective and common form of therapy used in Christian counseling for OCD is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy called exposure and response prevention, which includes:

• Identifying your obsessions and rituals (compulsions) and the things you avoid.
• Ranking the amount of anxiety each obsession causes from highest to lowest.
• Repeated exposure to the obsession while denying the compulsive act, beginning with those that cause least anxiety.
• Gradually working towards exposure to obsessions, which cause more anxiety at a reasonable pace.
• Overcoming faulty beliefs that lead to OCD behaviors.

Christian counseling for OCD can be difficult. Our counselors are here to support you through results-driven Christian counseling and faith in Christ. If you are ready to end the grasp and control OCD has on your life, we are eager to help.

Counseling for OCD in Children

Christian counseling for OCD in children is very similar to OCD counseling for adults. Both use cognitive-behavioral therapy, with similar steps as shown above. Additionally, children are shown to respond well to a technique called “cognitive restructuring.” This method involves using short stories based on the child’s obsession to help reduce the frequency and magnitude of their symptoms.

OCD in children and teens presents different challenges than with Christian counseling for OCD in adults. Young children often have difficulty expressing their symptoms and lack the skills to address their irrational fears and compulsive behaviors. They may also not understand that their fears are unrealistic or exaggerated, and older children and teens might resist talking about their symptoms due to feelings of shame or embarrassment. Because of these sensitive issues, it’s important to find a counselor who specializes in both Christian counseling for OCD and counseling children and adolescents.

If your child or teen has obsessive compulsive disorder, we know how hard that can be on you and your child. Tacoma Christian Counseling includes experienced counselors who specialize in Christian counseling for children and Christian counseling for teens with obsessive compulsive disorder.

Why is OCD an anxiety disorder?

The nature of OCD-related obsessions cause anxiety, which results in a need to perform compulsions to provide temporary relief.

Is OCD curable?

Not usually, but with treatment such as Christian counseling for OCD it is usually controllable.

What is the prognosis for OCD with treatment?

Very good if the patient is dedicated to the treatment process. Up to 80% of OCD sufferers improve greatly with proper treatment.

Do I need medications to treat OCD?

In many cases people with OCD are prescribed medications to help lessen their symptoms. Some are able to find relief through Christian counseling for OCD alone, while others might need to take medication for a time to help them comply with behavioral treatment.

Contact us today to learn more about Christian counseling for OCD

If your life is controlled by OCD, now is the time to fight back. For more information or to schedule your risk-free initial session, give us a call at (253) 777-1997 or contact us online. We also welcome you to browse our counselor profiles to find the right Christian counselor for you.