CBT Techniques For OCD
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder that includes a variety of approaches, including exposure, response prevention and cognitive reorganization. Most people see improvement within weeks of CBT treatment.
OCD treatment generally has a short duration, but long-lasting therapeutic benefits. CBT is usually a series of weekly one-hour sessions that last for six months or until the person experiences OCD symptoms. Most CBT-treated diagnoses will require that the client work outside of the therapy sessions in order to get the maximum benefit.
Commonly used CBT treatments for OCD:
The techniques below are commonly used in CBT to treat OCD. Exercises like progressive muscle relaxation can help people with anxiety.
Relaxation and deep breathing
Four common CBT techniques are used to treat OCD.
1.ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy)
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy) is one of the most effective CBT options for treating OCD. This allows the patient to experience the stress-inducing thoughts without engaging in compulsive behaviors.
This prevents them from examining any temporary relief associated with the pressure, and forces them to deal their anxiety until it subsides.
ERP is composed of these components:
- In-vivo exposure: A “real-life exposure”, in which a person is repeatedly exposed to a stressful environment for an extended period of time.
- Imaginal Exposure:Visualizing and imagining a feared stimuli, and the consequences of presenting that stimulus.
- Response, or prevention of ritualism: The refusal to engage in ritualistic behavior after the fearful stimulus has been experienced.
2.Deep Breathing Exercise
Breathing exercises can be extremely beneficial for treating anxiety related to OCD and also during the ERP process. There are many types of deep breathing exercises, but all of them aim to reduce the rate of heartbeat and breathing, leading to a feeling of calm.
3.The Progressive Relaxation of Muscles
The progressive muscle relaxation technique involves physically tightening the muscles and releasing tension from all over the body. When we feel stressed or anxious, our bodies may enter the fight-or flight response. This can create tension in the entire body. To manage stress, you must teach your body to separate from the fight-or-flight response.
4.Cognitive Restructuring/CBT
Cognitive restructuring aims to replace irrational or unfounded thinking patterns with rational ones that are based on reality. The goal is to use facts to challenge emotional motivated thoughts.
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