OCD Therapy in Edmonton
Learn about OCD
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing distress.
OCD is not about being “quirky” or “just liking things clean” — it’s a serious condition that can impact daily functioning if untreated.
Types of OCD:
Contamination OCD: An intense fear of germs, illness, or being “dirty,” leading to excessive washing, cleaning, or avoiding perceived contaminated places, objects, or people.
Checking OCD: Persistent doubts and compulsions to check things repeatedly (like locks, appliances, or emails) to prevent harm or mistakes, even when logically unnecessary.
Symmetry and Ordering OCD: A strong need for items to be arranged “just right” — perfectly aligned, even, or organized — often driven by discomfort or the belief that something bad will happen if not done correctly.
Harm OCD: Intrusive, distressing thoughts or fears about accidentally or intentionally causing harm to oneself or others, even when there is no true intent to do so.
Intrusive Thoughts OCD (Pure O or Pure Obsessional OCD): Obsessions that are mainly mental — like unwanted violent, sexual, or blasphemous thoughts — without obvious outward compulsions, although mental rituals like reassurance-seeking or thought-neutralizing may occur.
Hoarding OCD: Difficulty discarding items, even if they seem useless or have little value, because of fear of needing them later or emotional attachment. (Note: Hoarding Disorder is now recognized as a related but separate diagnosis.)
Religious or Scrupulosity OCD: Obsessions centered around morality, guilt, or religious purity, leading to compulsive prayer, confession, or mental checking to ensure one is “good” or “right” in the eyes of a higher power.
Relationship OCD (ROCD): Obsessive doubts and fears about the quality, strength, or “rightness” of relationships, often leading to constant reassurance-seeking or analyzing feelings toward a partner.
Key Characteristics
Obsessions
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. They often feel out of character and are difficult to control.
Compulsions
Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to obsessions, aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing feared outcomes (even if the actions aren’t logically connected).
Difficulty Concentrating
Struggling to focus on tasks, conversations, or decisions because anxious thoughts keep intruding and pulling attention away.
Time-consuming rituals
Compulsions and mental rituals can take up a significant amount of time each day, interfering with work, school, relationships, or daily activities.
Avoidance
Avoiding certain people, places, or situations that might trigger obsessions or anxiety, even if it limits everyday life.
Distress and guilt
Strong feelings of shame, guilt, or confusion about the content of obsessions, especially if they involve taboo subjects like harm, sexuality, or religion.
Temporary relief
Compulsions may briefly reduce anxiety, but the relief doesn’t last, often reinforcing the cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
Causes and risk factors
Genetics: Higher likelihood if family members have OCD.
Brain structure and function: Differences in areas related to decision-making and impulse control.
Environmental factors: Traumatic experiences or stress may trigger onset.
How OCD evolves over time
Children
OCD often begins in childhood or early adolescence, although it can appear at any age. In younger children, compulsions might be more noticeable than obsessions. For example, a child might repeatedly wash their hands, line up toys “perfectly,” or check that doors are locked without being able to explain why. They may describe feeling that “something bad” will happen if they don’t perform certain rituals. Early-onset OCD can sometimes be mistaken for typical childhood routines or superstitions, making early diagnosis challenging.
Teens
OCD often begins in childhood or early adolescence, although it can appear at any age. In younger children, compulsions might be more noticeable than obsessions. For example, a child might repeatedly wash their hands, line up toys “perfectly,” or check that doors are locked without being able to explain why. They may describe feeling that “something bad” will happen if they don’t perform certain rituals. Early-onset OCD can sometimes be mistaken for typical childhood routines or superstitions, making early diagnosis challenging.
Adults
In adults, OCD may continue to shift and change form. While certain themes (like contamination or checking) might stay consistent, new obsessions or compulsions can emerge over time, often triggered by major life transitions such as moving, marriage, parenthood, or career changes. Adults with OCD are often better at masking symptoms in public but may experience significant inner turmoil. Untreated OCD can lead to chronic stress, relationship struggles, and reduced quality of life. However, with appropriate treatment, many adults learn to manage symptoms effectively and build fulfilling lives.
Long Term Patterns
OCD tends to be a chronic condition, but its intensity can wax and wane over time. Periods of increased stress, fatigue, or significant life events often cause symptom flare-ups. Without treatment, the obsessive-compulsive cycle can become more entrenched, but with therapy, medication, and self-management strategies, many people achieve long-term symptom reduction and improved coping skills.
Key points about OCD over time
OCD can change themes — for example, someone who struggled with contamination fears as a child might later experience relationship doubts or harm obsessions.
Increased awareness of the irrational nature of obsessions doesn’t necessarily make them easier to dismiss.
Early intervention tends to lead to better outcomes, but it’s never too late to seek help.
Many individuals with OCD are highly resilient, resourceful, and capable of leading meaningful lives once their symptoms are properly addressed.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a careful process that involves more than just noticing certain habits or worries. Many people experience intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors sometimes — what separates OCD is the intensity, frequency, and the impact these symptoms have on daily life.
Who Can Diagnose OCD?
OCD should be diagnosed by a trained mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical social worker. In some cases, a family doctor might first recognize the symptoms and refer the individual to a specialist for a formal assessment.
What the Diagnosis Involves
Clinical Interview:
The clinician will ask detailed questions about current symptoms, how they started, how often they occur, and how much distress or disruption they cause. They’ll also explore medical history, family history of mental health conditions, and any significant life events.
Behavioral Assessments and Questionnaires:
Standardized tools like the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) may be used. These help measure the severity of obsessions and compulsions and give a clearer picture of how OCD affects the person’s daily life.
Understanding the Cycle:
Clinicians look for the classic OCD cycle — the presence of obsessions that create anxiety, followed by compulsions intended to reduce that anxiety, even temporarily.
Observation:
In some cases, the clinician may observe behaviors during the session (such as repetitive checking, seeking reassurance, or visible distress when routines are disrupted).
Key Diagnostic Criteria (based on DSM-5 guidelines):
Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both.
The obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming (typically taking more than one hour per day) or cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Symptoms are not explained by the effects of a substance (like drug use or medication) or another medical condition.
If other mental health disorders are present (like anxiety, depression, or eating disorders), the OCD symptoms are still considered separate and distinct.
Important Notes About Diagnosis
People with OCD are often very aware that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational or excessive — this is called insight. However, some individuals may have poor insight or even be convinced their fears are realistic.
OCD can sometimes be misdiagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, or even psychosis, depending on how the symptoms present. This is why a detailed, thoughtful evaluation is crucial.
In children, OCD symptoms might look different — for example, excessive reassurance-seeking, tantrums triggered by interrupted rituals, or difficulty explaining intrusive thoughts.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent OCD from becoming more severe over time. It can help individuals break free from time-consuming rituals, reduce shame and isolation, and build effective coping strategies before symptoms take deeper root.
Treatment Options
There is no instant “cure” for OCD, but with the right approach, symptoms can be significantly reduced, and people can reclaim their lives. Treatment usually includes a combination of therapy, education, lifestyle supports, and sometimes medication.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The gold standard for OCD treatment is a specific form of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Exposure involves gradually and intentionally facing feared thoughts, situations, or images that trigger anxiety.
Response Prevention means resisting the urge to perform compulsions once anxiety rises, helping the brain learn that the fear naturally decreases over time without needing rituals.
Medication
Certain medications, particularly SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft), can help regulate brain chemistry and reduce the intensity of obsessions and compulsions.
In more severe or treatment-resistant cases, other types of medications might be added.
Psychoeducation
Learning about how OCD works — especially understanding the obsessive-compulsive cycle — empowers individuals to recognize when they’re getting pulled into rituals and apply tools to resist.
Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Strategies
Mindfulness teaches individuals to observe their thoughts without judgment, helping to reduce the power of obsessions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is sometimes integrated into OCD treatment, encouraging people to live according to their values even while anxiety is present.
Support Groups
Connecting with others who understand OCD can offer validation, support, and helpful strategies. It reduces isolation and normalizes the experience of living with intrusive thoughts.
Family Involvement
Family members often (unintentionally) accommodate OCD by helping with rituals or offering constant reassurance. Involving families in treatment teaches them how to support recovery without reinforcing symptoms.
Lifestyle Supports
Good sleep hygiene improves resilience against intrusive thoughts.
Exercise helps regulate mood and anxiety.
Healthy routines build a sense of stability and reduce vulnerability to stress.
Stress management techniques, like breathing exercises or relaxation practices, are valuable allies in day-to-day coping.
Important: ERP and OCD-specific CBT are highly specialized. It’s crucial to work with a therapist who has specific training in treating OCD.
Strengths of People with OCD
While OCD can be overwhelming, many individuals develop incredible strengths along the way. These strengths often emerge because of the resilience and skills people build in managing their symptoms.
Attention to Detail: People with OCD often notice small details that others miss, making them excellent at tasks requiring precision, organization, or thoroughness
Strong Work Ethic: Persistence and dedication are common — many people with OCD push themselves to high standards in work, academics, or personal goals.
Empathy and Compassion: Living with intense internal struggles often makes individuals highly empathetic, attuned to the emotions and needs of others.
Creative Problem-Solving: Managing obsessions and compulsions often forces people to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to challenges.
Courage and Resilience: Facing daily intrusive thoughts and resisting compulsions takes immense bravery. Many individuals with OCD develop a deep well of resilience, perseverance, and grit.
Deep Sense of Responsibility: A heightened sense of responsibility can make individuals incredibly dependable, trustworthy, and careful about how their actions affect others.
Our approach
We understand that OCD is not “something you should just stop doing.” Our compassionate, science-backed methods aim to break the cycle of fear and reclaim freedom, hope, and joy.
