Therapy for OCD in Halifax, Nova ScotiaStruggling with OCD in the Halifax area?
Professional treatment and help for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is available in Nova Scotia. 
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OCD is characterized by two main components which are distressing, time-consuming, and significantly interfere with normal routines, relationships, or work life.
Counselling with a psychologist can help reduce the frequency and distress caused by intrusive thoughts and unwanted repetitive behaviours.
As the name implies, OCD consists of:
Obsessions
Ideas, thoughts, or images which preoccupy a person's thinking and result in significant worry and anxiety.
Compulsions
Behaviours (or even mental acts) which are performed over and over in an attempt to reduce the stress associated with the obsessions.
Counselling with a psychologist can help reduce the frequency and distress caused by intrusive thoughts and unwanted repetitive behaviours.
As the name implies, OCD consists of:
Obsessions
Ideas, thoughts, or images which preoccupy a person's thinking and result in significant worry and anxiety.
Compulsions
Behaviours (or even mental acts) which are performed over and over in an attempt to reduce the stress associated with the obsessions.
What are the different types of OCD?
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Subtypes and diagnostic categories of OCD include: Checking A common belief for those with a checking type of OCD is that they are responsible for the prevention of disasters to themselves or others. As such, these individuals may repeatedly check to sure that doors are locked and household appliances have been turned off or unplugged. |
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Washing / Cleaning
The washing / cleaning subtype of OCD involves excessive concerns over dirt, germs, or viruses. Repeated washing (especially hand washing) is used to temporarily reduce the fear of contamination. When the person does not get sick (which may have been true even without the hand washing), this only reinforces the behaviour. If the person does happen to get sick, this is interpreted to mean that he / she did not wash enough. Either way, the obsessive behaviour increases.
Ordering / Symmetry
The ordering subtype of OCD refers to an excessive need to place objects in a particular sequence or arrangement. The individual may become extremely distressed if the arrangement is moved or re-ordered.
Pure Obsessions
Individuals with pure obsession OCD may experience relentless unwanted thoughts about causing harm to themselves or others. There are no overt behavioural rituals but repetitive thoughts (e.g., counting or specific words) may be used to reduce anxiety. The reality is that people with pure obsessions are highly unlikely to carry out the thoughts that seem to pop into their heads. These thoughts have nothing to do with the person’s character, desires, or intentions – it simply means that the person has OCD and that treatment to stop the thoughts may be helpful.
Religious or Moral Obsession
People with a religious or moral obsession subtype of OCD have distressing thoughts related to spiritual or moral shortcomings that are unwanted, cause significant distress, and would be seen as excessive by most people of a similar faith or in a similar environment.
How is OCD treated?
The most common approaches to treating OCD are cognitive-behavioural therapy and medication (usually belonging to the antidepressant classification). Often, medication is combined with cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Cognitive-behavioural treatment for OCD with a psychologist may involve:
● Ongoing behavioural monitoring
● Creating and slowly working on an OCD anxiety hierarchy -starting with easy changes, gaining skill and comfort, and then attempting more difficult challenges
● Challenging and replacing faulty beliefs and self-talk
● Ritual prevention for increasingly longer periods of time
● Involving family members or friends as "coaches"
● Imaginal exposure
● Learning (and regularly practicing) stress and relaxation strategies
How can I get help for OCD in Halifax?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is treatable and responds well to therapy.
If you would like help for OCD (and live in the areas of Halifax, Bedford, Dartmouth, or anywhere in Nova Scotia) please read more about therapy and counselling, my treatment approach, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you would like to set up an initial consultation.
Thanks!
