Perhaps it started with one or two jarring and disturbing thoughts or images. Or maybe it was an unshakable sensation that left you feeling as though something just wasn’t right. You tried to shake it off, ignore it, and move on, but the thoughts, feelings, or sensations you were experiencing didn’t go away. In fact, they became overwhelmingly present, taking up most of your thoughts and time. Desperate to get rid of this disturbing experience, you performed a behaviour or mental act that you just felt compelled to complete, and at first, it seemed to help. But soon, that stopped working too. The ritual would only take the anxiety away for a moment before you felt driven to repeat the process again and again in search of relief. You got stuck in a cycle.

If this sounds like an experience you can relate to, you are not alone. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an experience that affects 1-2% of the population, or up to 1 in 100 adults. OCD is characterized by two components:

 Obsessions: unwanted intrusive thoughts, images, or sensations

 Compulsions: repetitive behaviours done in response to an obsession in an effort to reduce or remove the intrusive thought or feeling

OCD is an experience that affects men, women, children, and individuals of all races, cultures, backgrounds and belief systems. When OCD is left untreated, the disorder can severely impact an individual’s life. Inability to function effectively in work, school or home settings, the strain on interpersonal relationships, and heightened risk of other severe mental health conditions such as depression are all impacts of OCD. It is safe to say that, gone unchecked, OCD takes complete control of an individual’s life.

The experience we’ve described seems grim. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – and you’ve arrived at it. OCD recovery is possible through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) treatment! At OCD North, we use ERP treatment to help you overcome OCD for one main reason – it works.

ERP treatment has a 75-85% efficacy rate (making it one of the most effective mental health treatments around!), and our clinicians trust this treatment practice to help our clients overcome OCD every. single. day.

If you’ve been battling with OCD, you are not alone, and you can get the support you need to overcome OCD.

Want to book an appointment with one of our fantastic ERP therapists and start your OCD recovery journey? Click here.