Cognitive Hypnotherapy For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Breaking Free from OCD's Intrusive Thoughts, Compulsions, and Pure-O

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a distressing condition where the sufferer can feel compelled to repetitively undertake certain physical and / or mental rituals as a way of avoiding the possibility of something unpleasant happening in the future if they don't complete these tasks properly. In the worst cases, these behaviours can take up a large part of a person's day-to-day life and severely interfere with their ability to live a normal existence.

Understanding Pure-O & Physical Compulsions

Patients I see with OCD tend to either obsess mentally about certain areas (a form of OCD known as Pure-O), or can tip over into physical rituals too. OCD (particularly in more severe forms) has both biochemical and mental origins. Cognitive Hypnotherapy can be used to successfully work on the mental side, whereas the biochemical side can be tackled if necessary alongside, with traditional medication such as SSRI's, or via alternative nutritional therapy routes that aim to boost the amount of serotonin reaching the brain, or altering the Glutamate / GABA balance etc.

The Link Between OCD and Eating Disorders

OCD symptoms are often present in patients dealing with eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia especially). This correlation is unsurprising, as both conditions often stem from deeply rooted control dynamics, leading individuals to become highly obsessive over food tracking, caloric intake, weight monitoring, and physical appearance.

OCD in Children & Young People

I am increasingly seeing OCD appearing in older children and young people, perhaps as a result of the higher levels of stress they are now placed under, particularly at school. The hormonal changes that occur during these developmental years may also be a contributory factor, as may some element of genetic predisposition.

Practice Locations Across London, Kent & Remote Hypnotherapy

If you are looking for local in-person support to manage intrusive thoughts or compulsions, I offer confidential, professional Cognitive Hypnotherapy sessions at my practices in Sevenoaks (Four Elms), Tunbridge Wells, Chelsea, Bexleyheath, London Bridge, and Clapham (conveniently providing hypnotherapy for surrounding South London areas like Herne Hill, Denmark Hill, West Norwood, and Tulse Hill). Comprehensive Online sessions are also available in the UK, EU and USA for remote care.