How To Stop An OCD Attack: A Comprehensive Guide
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. People with OCD experience obsessive thoughts, disturbing and intrusive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors that can be distressing and difficult to manage. In this blog, you'll a complete understanding of OCD attacks. We'll explain what they are, what they feel like, and most importantly, provide tips on how to calm an OCD attack when it occurs.
What Does an OCD Attack Feel Like?
An OCD attack can feel like a storm of intense emotions and physical sensations. The person may experience physical symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, and rapid heartbeat. These symptoms may be accompanied with obsessive thoughts, intrusive thoughts, and an urge to engage in compulsions.
Obsessive thoughts during an OCD attack may include themes such as fear of contamination, fear of causing harm to others, or an obsession with order and symmetry. These thoughts can be persistent and distressing, causing the individual to feel overwhelmed and powerless.
Intrusive thoughts during an OCD attack are unwanted, disturbing thoughts that can be graphic or violent in nature. These thoughts can cause significant anxiety and fear. Intrusions may be accompanied by compulsive behaviors aimed at reducing the anxiety associated with the thoughts.
Common compulsions during an OCD attack can include excessive cleaning, double checking locks, counting, or arranging items in a specific order. These compulsive behaviors can be time consuming and interfere with daily life activities, causing additional stress and anxiety.
The Different Types of OCD Obsessions and Compulsions
Common OCD Obsessions
It is important to understand that there are many different types of OCD obsessions and compulsions, and these can vary from person to person. Some of the most common OCD obsessions include:
Contamination: This involves excessive fear of germs, dirt, or other perceived contaminants. This can lead to compulsions such as excessive hand washing or cleaning.
Harm: This involves excessive fear of causing harm to oneself or others. This can lead to compulsions such as repetitive checking to ensure no harm has been done.
Sexual or violent thoughts: This involves intrusive thoughts of a sexual or violent nature that cause significant distress.
Order and symmetry: This involves excessive obsessions with order and symmetry with objects in one's environment.
Religious or moral scrupulosity: This involves intrusive thoughts or images that go against a person's religious or moral beliefs.
Common OCD Compulsions
Compulsions, or repetitive behaviors or mental acts, are performed in an attempt to relieve anxiety caused by the intrusive thoughts. Some common compulsions include:
Checking: This involves repeatedly checking things such as locks, appliances, or switches to make sure they are in a certain position.
Cleaning and grooming: This involves repetitive hand washing, showering, or grooming to reduce anxiety and avoid perceived contamination.
Counting: This involves repetitive counting of objects or actions to reduce anxiety and achieve a sense of symmetry.
Arranging objects in order: This involves organizing objects in a specific pattern or arrangement to reduce anxiety. Engaging in this compulsive behavior might give one a feeling of control.
Mental rituals: This involves repeating words, phrases, or prayers to reduce anxiety and achieve a sense of security.
It is important to understand that while compulsions may provide temporary relief, they ultimately reinforce and strengthen .obsessive thoughts. This can increase the frequency and severity of OCD symptoms.
Can You Stop An OCD Attack?
It can be challenging to stop an OCD attack once it has started, but it is possible to manage and reduce its intensity. Evidence based treatments, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), have been shown to be effective reducing the frequency and severity of OCD attacks. In some cases, medication such as anti-anxiety medication may also be recommended by a mental health professional.
How To Manage Your OCD Attack
When an OCD attack strikes, it can be challenging to keep your thoughts and behaviors under control. However, there are several strategies that you can use to manage and reduce the intensity of an OCD attack.
Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness can help reduce anxiety and calm the mind. Progressive muscle relaxation and yoga can also be effective in reducing tension and calming the body.
Challenge your compulsive behavior: Engage in a different activity, read a book, watch a movie, or take a walk. Doing something different can help interrupt your compulsive actions.
Entertain your thoughts: Try to entertain the thoughts that are causing distress and anxiety during an OCD attack. Ask yourself questions such as: Am I willing to tolerate uncertainty? Entertaining and allowing your thoughts to be helps your brain learn you can handle any thoughts and thus this reduces their power and influence over you.
Limit compulsive behaviors: Try to limit the time and energy you spend on compulsive behaviors. Set a timer for a certain amount of time. In that time, try to resist the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors. Gradually increase the amount of time as you become more comfortable. Delay your compulsive actions.
Seek support: Talk to someone you trust about your OCD attack. A friend, family member, or mental health professional can provide support and help you manage your symptoms.
Stick to your treatment plan: If you have a treatment plan in place, such as medication and therapy, stick to it. The more consistently you follow your treatment plan, the more effective it will be in reducing the frequency of OCD attacks.
The Importance of Treating OCD
OCD can be a debilitating condition that affects many aspects of life, including relationships, work, and daily activities. However, with proper treatment and support, it is possible to reduce the frequency and severity of OCD attacks. Evidence based treatments, such as CBT and ERP, have been shown to be effective in treating OCD and reducing symptoms. If you are struggling with OCD, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional and create a treatment plan that works for you.
If you’re struggling with OCD and are seeking treatment, feel free to contact us for an initial consultation.