An anxiety disorder that affects around 2.2 million American adults, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by unwanted, uncontrollable and ritualized, repetitive behaviors that the affected person feels compelled to perform.

Individuals with OCD typically recognize their compulsive behaviors and obsessive irrational thoughts, but even so, they’re unable to break free. In severe cases of OCD, the compulsive behaviors and obsessive thoughts can become so consuming that they can start interfering with your day-to-day life.

OCD: Obsessions & Compulsions

Obsessions can be defined as involuntary impulses, images, and thoughts that spring over and over in the mind. You cannot stop these ideas from occurring in your mind, even if you don’t want them. With individuals who suffer from OCD, these obsessive thoughts can be quite distracting and disturbing.

Compulsions, on the other hand, are rituals or behaviors that you feel compelled to act out repetitively. Typically, individuals with OCD perform compulsions in an attempt to eradicate obsessive feelings. For instance, if an individual has a fear of contamination, they may develop elaborate, repetitive cleaning habits. However, the relief they get from performing their compulsions is never a lasting one.

Compulsive behaviors and rituals often end up causing anxiety, which increases as they become more time-consuming and demanding.

Most individuals with OCD can be divided into the following categories:

• Washers have a fear of examination and typically have handwashing or cleaning compulsions.
• Checker are compelled to check things repetitively (door locks, oven turned off, etc.)—things they associate with danger or harm.
• Sinners and Doubters have an irrational fear that if things are not done a certain way, terrible things will happen.
• Arrangers and counters are obsessed with symmetry and order.

Hypnosis: Can It Help With OCD?

Hypnosis can alleviate the symptoms of OCD through the application of two key methods. The first involves a trained hypnotist using relaxation techniques to put the patient’s mind and body into a calm and tranquil trance-like state. This can include the use of anchors, metaphors, and progressive muscle tension release. Then, the hypnotist will encourage the patient to imagine the memories and emotions that trigger their compulsive behaviors. When the mind imagines the triggers while the body is in a calm, relaxed state, OCD-related anxiety is reduced. Bodily tension enhances the likelihood of anxious sensations and feelings.

The tailored relaxation process in hypnotherapy allows individuals with OCD to neutralize anxious feelings in a practical, quick, and safe way.

If you want to treat your subconscious anxiety and are looking for ways to calm an anxious mind, it might be time to give hypnotherapy for social anxiety a try. Rekha Shrivastava works on building self-esteem among her clients, connecting them with their inner selves. Book your free consultation today at our office in Pittsford or avail our online sessions via Skype.

Not ready to schedule an appointment? Learn how self-hypnosis can start your recovery from PTSD and depression.