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OCD – How medical treatment or counselling/psychotherapy can help – Part 4/6

Sherry-Lee Smith Child, Adolescent, Adult, Psychologist. Perth, WA

Severe OCD is a difficult condition to treat. It is common for suffers of OCD to hide their symptoms and treat it like a secret problem. Nonetheless it is important to seek treatment from medical and psychological professionals. With perseverance most patients can expect some reduction in symptoms. However, it is common for some level of symptoms to persist despite treatment and relapse of symptoms in stressful times can be problematic.

OCD can often be successfully treated with a combination of medical and psychological interventions. People with OCD may be prescribed antidepressants know as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as Prozac or Zoloft) or tricyclic antidepressants (such as Anafranil). Improvements usually take up to 6 weeks and it is recommended that medication should be continued for a minimum or 6 months and sometimes for 1-2 years. If you are considering medication for OCD you should discuss this with a medical professional such as a general practitioner (GP) or psychiatrist.

Various psychological treatments may be helpful for reducing symptoms of OCD. Intervening at any point in the OCD cycle can improve functioning. Psychological treatment may address any of following;

  • Relaxation techniques
  • Clarifying and addressing underlying relationship problems
  • Thought-stopping techniques
  • Psychoeducation
  • Recognising and correcting unhelpful thinking patterns
  • Developing alternative coping strategies
  • Behavioural experiments (designed to encourage helpful thinking patterns)
  • Exposure to anxiety provoking experiences with the aim of reducing anxiety
  • Problem-solving
  • Recognising and relabeling obsessive thoughts
  • Correcting unhelpful beliefs that underlie OCD symptoms
  • Breaking negative reinforcement cycles of OCD
  • Reducing stress
  • Developing alternative anxiety management strategies
  • Developing emotion regulation skills
  • Identifying and addressing factors that trigger or exacerbate OCD symptoms
  • Developing realistic ways of viewing reality
  • Addressing feelings of ambivalence towards the self and building a more integrated and differentiated view of the self and others

Home Page – Sherry-Lee Smith Perth Psychologist

Published by Sherry-Lee Smith Child, Adolescent, Adult, Psychologist. Perth, WA

Sherry-Lee Smith MAPS MAAP EMDRAA ISST CEDC Psychologist BA (Psych) Hons Registered; Perth Western Australia Sherry is a registered psychologist with 10 years experience working with adults, adolescents, and children. Sherry aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to increase their self-awareness and develop towards their full potential. Issues addressed include; depression and other mood disorders anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety etc.) stress self-harm suicidal ideation self-esteem personal growth anger management drug and alcohol use grief and loss relationship difficulties and separation adolescent issues young adult issues eating disorders insomnia body image issues family of origin issues Sherry uses an integrated therapeutic approach to counselling and psychotherapy tailoring the intervention to meet the unique needs of the client. Approaches may include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Psychodynamic approaches, Expressive Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and Narrative Therapy. Sherry has experience working at an adolescent mental health services with adolescents and their families experiencing depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation. She has co-ordinated a drug and alcohol service for adolescents and adults experiencing difficulties related to their own or another’s drug and alcohol use and co-occurring mental health issues. Sherry has worked counselling children and adolescents who have experienced parental separation and family conflict. She has experience running groups related to drug and alcohol use, parenting, grief and loss, family and relationships, bullying and friendships, self-esteem, and parental separation. Sherry is fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). She is also an member of the Australian Psychological Society. Medicare rebates and private health fund rebates may apply. If you would like to book an appointment with Sherry or would like further information please contact her by phone or email. Phone: 042 135 1020 Email: smith.sherrylee@gmail.com Sherry-Lee Smith Mt Lawley Counselling Centre 13 Alvan Street Mt Lawley WA