OCD Therapist Bristol

Treatment & Therapy

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

OCD affects an estimated 1 to 4% of the population and is marked by unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that can cause significant anxiety and distress. To manage these intrusive feelings, individuals often develop compulsions—repetitive behaviours such as excessive hand washing, counting, arranging items in a specific order, following rigid routines, or repeatedly checking locks and windows. While these behaviours may seem irrational, they are a way of coping with overwhelming anxiety. Fortunately, with the help of our OCD therapists in Bristol, effective psychological treatments are available to help individuals regain control and reduce symptoms.

Common OCD symptoms

Each person who experiences OCD describes something different. However, the symptoms people experience can often have similar themes. Below are some common features of OCD.

Fear of contamination

You may worry that you or others are contaminated (or are at high risk of being contaminated) by germs, faeces, urine, dirt, chemicals or some other harmful agent. As a result, you may need to wash your hands repeatedly, avoid touching certain things and/or stay away from people. Often people with these kinds of worries are more concerned about the harm they may cause other people than themselves. These kinds of concerns are particularly prevalent at the moment, with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic raising people’s fear of contamination in general.

Intrusive thoughts

An intrusive thought is an unwanted thought that causes distress. They can often be difficult to eliminate. The content of these thoughts may include issues related to sexual acts, violence, deliberately causing harm to others or something else the person finds unacceptable. It may also include doubts that you have hurt someone by accident, for example knocking someone over in a car. Intrusive thoughts can be graphic images that shock and disgust you. As a result you may need to seek reassurance that your thoughts have no basis in reality and work very hard not to have them, through distracting yourself with other things.

Orderliness and symmetry

This type of OCD involves a compulsion to arrange and order things/objects/possessions in a certain way. People who have experienced this problem often describe not being able to stop these compulsions until it feels ‘just right’. As a result, routines associated with compulsions can become very time consuming, leading to isolation and loneliness, as well as a general inability to carry out life tasks, such as attending work.

Checking

People who repeatedly check things (doors, windows, cooker, plug sockets, light switches etc) are usually concerned that something bad might happen as a result of their own negligence (house fire, burglary, harm to someone, lost or stolen items etc). These checking behaviours often have to be carried out over and over again, for a considerable amount of time. The impact of these behaviours can be devastating and lead to real issues, including problems being on time, engaging with relationships and holding down work.

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Treatment for OCD

Although OCD is entirely treatable, many individuals live with their symptoms for years before seeking help. This often makes the beliefs and rituals driving their difficulties deeply ingrained and challenging to change. For this reason, therapeutic sessions in the home or community can be especially effective, as they provide a comfortable and relevant setting to apply treatment techniques.

Clinical research recommends a combination of CBT and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), a proven method that helps individuals confront and overcome their fears. For most people, this approach is sufficient to significantly reduce symptoms. However, for more complex or resistant cases, a more specialised plan involving multiple therapists may be required.

At NOSA, we take the time to fully assess your needs and collaborate with you to create a personalised treatment plan. Working with an experienced OCD Therapist in Bristol, we aim to help you achieve lasting results and meet your personal goals.

Our OCD treatment in Bristol

How does it work?

1

Make contact

2

Initial consultation

Schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns and goals. This helps us understand your situation and explain how we can help.

3

Treatment recommendations

Following the consultation, you will receive a personalised letter from our OCD therapist in Bristol, outlining treatment recommendations and the most suitable options for your needs.

4 Your decision

The next step is entirely up to you. Take time to consider the recommendations and decide whether to proceed with the therapy plan.